The next morning, I wake up to silence.

I climb over the princes, sprawled out on the pelts and look to see the sun shining into the cave. I can also hear several footsteps headed this way, through the trees. I walk out to meet them and see a group of armored soldiers. I prepare for battle by spreading my wings, they spot me and become wary. They look at me with disgust and some with fear, but the leader of this small party, sees an opportunity.

"Greetings, Halfling." he waves once they get ten feet away. They stop five feet away on the edge of the sparse tree line. He continues after a moment of silence, probably expecting me to reply more than just crossing my arms. "We come in search of four boys, lost in these mountains, and would like to request your help." he smiles when I raise an eyebrow, ignoring the glares his party is giving him. "We do not want to cause trouble, but find our lost comrades and leave." He sets down his weapon as a peace offering.

"You are not welcome here," I drop my arms and make to return to my cave where the princes are slowly waking up. "Leave, or you'll not have to worry about your missing comrades any longer." I turn and get five feet before they attack. I dodge the spear they threw and use the momentum of turning around to break the arm of the soldier closest to me. She falls to the ground screaming, holding her arm, and I pick up the sword. There are seven of them in total, and they all stare at their comrade in shock before lunging to attack once more. The leader stays back to control them, while an archer runs into the trees for cover. The two closest to the leader, position themselves, to guard him while the other two lunge at me. I sigh and slice their thighs, easily dodging their clumsy swords. They obviously aren't used to fighting in the snow. They fall, as the archer finally shoots. I catch the arrow and they all watch, horrified as I break off the arrow head and throw it into the archer's shoulder.

"Leave while you're still able." I say, dropping the bloodied sword and walking back to the cave. The Princes are at the entrance, staring at the bloody scene and looking green. "Grab your bags, it's time to go." I yell to them and they hesitate for a moment before falling over each other to run and grab the bags. The soldiers, pick themselves up and retreat back down the mountain. I strap on all the sheaths and my cloak before grabbing my bag and leading the boys down the mountain. By nightfall, we reach the edge of the snowy area, and have passed the soldiers who had to stop and bandage their wounded. The forest is thick enough here that, I feel comfortable setting up camp. While the princes set up camp in continued heavy silence, I leave and hunt a rabbit. It's fatter than the ones higher up, and should make a good meal. I return to more silence and roll my eyes.

"Is there anything you would like say?" I ask, sitting next to the fire Ryuu lit. I place the rabbit at my feet and look at the four boys.

"Why didn't you kill them?" Khidell asks and I raise my eyebrows in shock. "They were obviously royal soldiers searching for us, why did you let them go." I look to see the other three looking at me confused and nod.

"Would you rather I kill any hostile we come across?" I ask and Kalan stops to think. Kuro looks even more confused and Ryuu looks at me like that was the obvious answer. Khidell squints at me as if I were a math problem he didn't understand.

"Not all hostiles, just the ones who attack." Kalan answers and the other three look at him as if that was obvious.

"How else would she determine them hostile?" Ryuu asks. I start preparing the rabbit for soup while they argue.

"There could be some bounty on our heads, and that would make everyone a hostile." Kalan retorts, and I nod in agreement, but no one notices.

"They wouldn't be hostiles if they don't act with hostility." argues Khidell and I blink down at the food in disbelief.

"No, he's right." Kuro adds. "The definition of a hostile in our situation would be any suspicious person or anyone trying to inhibit our progress. Some might do that on accident or by nature. Not to mention, their hostility might not even be aimed at us, but at her unfinished form, or even just something we said. We can't go around killing everyone just because they don't like us."

"But what about assassins?!" Ryuu counters angrily, grasping at straws in this losing battle.

"With her nose, we don't have to worry about poisons, and if they attack at night, she'll be the first to wake up." Khidell concedes. "I tested it last night, by speeding up my breathing pattern at random times throughout the night." he says and I droop my shoulders remembering how many times I woke up last night because of him.

"But..." Ryuu struggles to find his next argument and then gives up with a growl. "Fine, only those that attack."