Road of Ash and Silk

When the House of the Crimson Crane falls in flames, twelve-year-old Antonis is thrust into a world of danger, betrayal, and awakening destiny.Forced to flee Kyoto with Lord Takeda Hirotaro and Lady Fujiwara Akiko, he travels east through mist-covered mountains toward a secret refuge — the House of the White Heron.

Haunted by guilt and driven by a promise to save Nami, the girl who once saved him, Antonis pushes his training beyond its limits.His bond with loyal Junjiro deepens, his mastery of the katana sharpens, and the hawk spirit within him begins to stir.

But Lord Ishida Sakanori’s reach grows longer.Kyoto burns. Allies vanish.And in the shadows, the assassin boy Riku watches — not as an enemy, but as a rival who sees Antonis rising.

As the Shogunate murmurs of Ishida’s recklessness, Antonis stands at a crossroads of ash, silk, and fate.

The road ahead is perilous.The storm is coming.But he will not turn back.