The training with dad had been going so well, I could feel my confidence increasing, sure the only thing I had learnt so far was how to run really far, avoid stuff and the beginning of my mastery of Larana’s power, but dad said I was progressing faster than he had.

“You pushed me quite far yesterday,” laughed dad about yesterday’s training. “You are becoming more forceful with how much wind you are using.”

“I made a bet with Larana on how far I could send you,” I admitted. I’d won that bet of course, so she had to sit on my shoulder all day. She had yet to talk to me, I learned then she was quite the sore loser.

“Aren’t you going on your trip today?” asked mum, sitting down opposite us.

“We are,” nodded dad.

“Hey Yamato.” King Alton just strolled in without even knocking. He sat down at the table, helping himself to the assortment of breakfast mum had laid out.

“Just because you own the castle, doesn’t mean you can just walk in uninvited,” snarled dad.

“You said there would be breakfast.” Tigra came up and sat next to her dad.

“Tigra?” I was surprised to see her so soon.

“I heard you were going on a camping trip,” smiled King Alton ignoring dad.

“What of it?” Dad stared at his friend.

“Just hoping you would consider taking Tigra along,” requested King Alton.

“It was only for clan members, but I guess I can make an exception,” replied dad.

“Yes.” Tigra and I cheered, this would be awesome.

“Wait.” I looked at dad. “What’s a camping trip?”

“You’ll see,” smirked dad.

“Is anyone else going?” asked King Alton.

“Kiba,” answered dad. “Very shy cub, hoping this brings him out of his shell a bit.”

“My cousin.” I wanted to verify.

“Yes,” nodded dad.

“Well, have fun.” King Alton picked up a handful of stuff and stood up.

“Don’t want to come your majesty?” Dad looked at him with this cunning gaze.

King Alton’s eyes widened at his questioned. “No, it’s fine I have stuff to do. I am the king after all.” He let out a nervous laugh.

“Still scared of the forest Alton?” Dad was really pushing it with the king today.

“No.” He shook his head franticly.

“Dad’s scared of the forest, why?” Tigra looked at my dad then hers.

“It was in our younger days…” Dad began.

“Shut up Yamato!” Shouted King Alton. “No need to bore them with our stories.” He had gone very nervous.

Dad laughed. “It would have been fun if we could have gone together.”

“You know I don’t like that place, especially at night.” King Alton seemed to relax again.

“Shame, maybe some other time then,” smiled dad.

“You two are always teasing each other,” commented mum. “Alton when they get back, perhaps a group training session would suit you more.”

“Sounds good.” He nodded. “Thanks for the breakfast, have fun Tigra.”

“I will dad.” Tigra waved him off.

“Take care of her Yamato.” King Alton glanced back.

“You have nothing to worry about.” Their eyes met and they remained silent for what felt like the longest time, then without a word King Alton left.

“What was that about?” I asked.

“You’ll understand when you have your own children,” answered mum.

“Tigra, this trip is not just for fun,” began dad. “This is a survival trip our clan does with our off-spring, to prepare them for future events.”

“I got all the details from dad,” responded Tigra not really bothered. “He said we would be hunting, learning to cook, making tents which usually goes on for about two days.”

Dad smirked. “It would seem you are well informed.” He stood up. “I have things to finish packing, Kiba will be here shortly.”

“Need any help dad?” I asked.

“Don’t worry I have it all covered.” Dad left the room.

“You’ll be leaving in the afternoon, long enough to find a spot, set up camp and hunt for dinner, so eat up, you might not catch anything,” mentioned mum.

“What?” I was alarmed I might not get to eat, so I began scoffing my face.

“Calm down,” smiled mum. “Your dad won’t let you go hungry.” I stopped with a pastry in my mouth. Mum sighed.

There was a knock at the door. I thought it was the king coming back for more food, but it was someone else.

“Amora. I’m just dropping Kiba off.” I heard the door open and a voice call in.

“Great.” Mum called in response. Mum was about to get up to leave the room, when Kiba came shivering around the corner.

“Have fun.” His mum called and she was gone again.

“Hello Kiba.” Mum smiled as she went over to him. “Fancy some breakfast.” Kiba shook his head. “Alright, just take a seat until Yamato is ready.” Kiba sat opposite me.

“You were at Alex’s party right?” Tigra spoke first hoping to spark a conversation with Kiba.

“Yeah.” He slowly nodded.

“Cousins right?”

“Yeah.”

“How well do you know Alex?”

“Only from the party.”

Tigra and I glanced at each other, he was so nervous answering her questions, that Tigra quickly went off the idea of talking to him.

Dad walked in carrying three back packs. “Well, it’s about time we get moving.”

“Yeah!” Tigra and I cheered. I nudged Kiba to try to encourage him, but he just lifted his arm in silence.

“I have a pack for each of you, each is filled with the general tools to survive long journeys through a forest area.” We each lined up to take our packs. “I should warn you they are not light, so this will also be a little test of strength, but I have no doubts that you’ll handle it.”

I stumbled forward as I grabbed mine. “Wow.” I hadn’t expected it to be that heavy even after dad’s warning. Tigra took hers no problem and same with Kiba.

“Where will we be going?” asked Tigra.

“We’ll head out to the forests across the twin lion bridges,” informed dad. “From there it is just how far we’ll get before dark.” He grinned.

“Have fun you three,” smiled mum. “Don’t be too harsh on them.”

“I won’t.” Dad headed for the door as we put our packs on. “Forward march.” Tigra and I dashed to the front to walk with dad. Kiba hesitantly walked behind. Dad glanced back as we walked down the castle corridor. “Keep up Kiba, I don’t want to lose anyone.”

“Aye sir,” he rushed up from behind me.

“Lessons start now.” Dad pointed out in front of him. “Who can tell me of the royal knights ranking system.” Tigra raised her hand. “Tigra.”

“There are mainly four ranks knight-in-training, knight, royal knight and Guardian,” answered Tigra quickly.

“Correct,” nodded dad. “But did you know those at the knight’s academy aren’t even classed as knights-in-training until they begin their duties outside the academy, they are more like naïve, someone who lacks experience.”

“Is it true you became a knight at the age of twelve?” asked Kiba quietly.

“Yes,” replied dad. “I had proven myself in a dare situation, which is also another way to climb the rankings.” We had just exited the castle and were now headed in the direction of the twin lion bridges. “Can anyone tell me about the twin lion bridges?” I quickly put my hand up like Tigra had. “Alex.”

“The bridge is based on the old legends, named after the twin lion swords talismans, he wielded. The black winged lion of lightning and the white winged lion of fire.” I was so excited to actually be seeing one of the bridges up close.

“Well done.” Dad pointed in the direction of each bridge. “Each bridge has statues on it to represent the talisman spirits which Fang in the legends ones wielded. Wind fairy, water mermaid and the twin lions.”

“It’s just a legend,” commented Kiba.

“Legends always come from something Kiba,” said dad. “History is sometimes forgotten and in turn becomes myth or in this case a legend.” Dad looked at him. “We follow these legends as we are the descendants of Fang. Kiba do not forget our clan carries the will of protection passed down from Fang.” Dad almost sounded annoyed as he responded to Kiba.

“Will of protection,” repeated Tigra.

“The Fang Clan has protected Cathopia since it was first built back during the time of Fang, ever since then every descendant that has come afterwards has protected it from darkness,” explained dad.

We reached the twin lion bridges, at the beginning were two giant statues of two winged lions, one made from black marble the other of white. They stood so proudly, looking out across the long length of the bridge almost like they were standing guard.

“Wow.” I noticed a gem on each lion’s neck, glistening in the sunlight. The black lion had a blue gem, while the white lion had a green one. “Dad, what are these gems?”

“Good question.” Dad stood behind me. “It was said the lions could fuse their power with a different element, this fusion would use less energy and double their power, can you guess which ones?” Another question, I guessed this was how today was going to go.

“Lightning would be enhanced by water, considering the material is conductive,” answered Tigra.

“And the white lion.” Dad looked at both Kiba and I.

I glanced at Larana still sat on my shoulder. “Wind.”

“You guys are on fire today,” smiled dad, allowing us to admire the winged lion statues a little longer. “Come on, let’s keep moving.”

We all followed after dad, walking across the bridge to see Animalia coming and going, there were almost too many to count. Tigra got a lot of attention from the knights we passed who were on duty.

Tigra got a little embarrassed as they bowed, but also showed great respect towards dad as they stood at attention as he went. Dad just gave them a nod and kept going.

We reached halfway across the bridge where a little village was, it was filled with Animalia stopping at the market, which was set up between the two bridges, almost like a set path. Visitors stopped to see what they could buy at their little market of homemade goods. There were flutes, paintings, bracelets, some even had metal and leather armours.

There were loads of little cottages beyond the market stalls, cobbled paths and loads of trees. Most things were decorated with winged lions almost like the place worshipped the ancient talismans like they were some sort of god.

“This is Solus, the name means lone as it is the only island between the two section of the twin lion bridges,” informed dad.

I noticed at the end of one bridge and the beginning of the other were individual statues of the lions, facing each other from their respective bridges. The white lion stood on the one we just came from and the black lion sat on the one we were about to cross.

“We can stop here on the way back,” said dad. “Otherwise, we will never reach the site before the sunsets.” Dad sped up, leaving Solus behind us and getting to the second half of the twin lion bridges.

“What will we be doing when we reach camp?” I asked breaking a long silence as we reached the end of the bridge, the great forest around Cathopia just in front of us.

“When we first arrive, we will set up our shelters, then hunt for dinner,” replied dad. “Don’t worry I will be doing the hunting tonight just to show you basic skills needed, I doubt you could catch anything.” I wasn’t worried after all dad had brought his talisman Zekon with him, sitting quietly upon his back.

“Here we go.” I heard Kiba gulp.

“Don’t worry we’ll be safe with my dad.” I put on a smile.

“But what if he can’t protect us?” shivered Kiba.

“It’ll be fine.” Tigra was trying to encourage him too.

“Keep up, this is where it can get dangerous for those unprepared.” Dad called back.

At first he followed the path along with the other Animalia, but soon he stopped and began walking through the forest. The three of us looked at each other, suddenly filled with dread.

“Yamato, they stopped.” I heard Zekon. Dad stopped, glancing back.

“It’ll be fine.” He put on this reassuring smile. “I will protect each one of you with my life, nothing will harm you.”

“Trust him.” Larana had spoken for the first time since this morning.

I nodded. “Come on, have faith in my dad.” I stepped off the path and into the forest. I looked at dad’s smiling face, knowing what he said, he meant; we were safe as long as he was around.