Corona

The woods of the Enchanted Forest changed drastically past the tower; it was like entering a different forest altogether. Where it had been dark, overcrowded, and really damn foreboding, the woods were now much brighter and more open. It would seem, much like this world, the Enchanted Forest itself was an amalgam of different versions all its own. Fitting if it was indeed the hub of the world, as I thought.

I still had Rose lead us, just because things looked more friendly didn't mean they were.

"So, we're in Corona now then?" I asked Hilde.

She nodded. "Yes Master, we should easily make the capital by sundown."

"What are the odds anyone is going to recognize you here?"

Hilde laughed in what sounded like actual joy. "Looking younger as I do now, not very likely, and even less so for Snow. The Royal couple are the greatest risk of discovery."

That boded well. "Okay Ruby, go ahead and shift to human, and I'll go over the plan and everyone's roles." Soon, the naked dark-haired girl trotted over, her transformation was pretty swift and smooth. Nothing like what some horror films depicted. She didn't seem much bothered by her nudity either.

"Alright, so Hilde and I are going to be a couple of married nobles. So she defers to me, and you all defer to her, got it? Snow and Ella are our servants, that means changing into a maid outfit now Snow." The ravenette nodded in understanding and got down from her horse to change. "Grab Ruby's woods outfit as well while you're at it. Ruby, you are our guide and, let's say, our warden for our estate. You'll keep lead but on horseback in your human form."

"Of course, my Lord." She went over to get her gear from Snow. I turned back to Hilde. "Do you think you can play the role of a lesser noble and doting wife?"

She grimaced. "How lesser? Are you not still Prince Guy of Fawkes?" Ha! What an ego, but she was useful.

"Yes, I am, and you're right that still works. Very well, that makes you Princess Hilde of Fawkes, my bride. Does that suit, or do you need to join the maids while Snow plays my wife?"

She paled and ducked her head. "Please no, Master, I can and will serve you well as your bride. I know the role better than Snow. I will be your most devoted wife."

Snow and Ruby had come back, Snow now in maid's gear identical to Ella's and Ruby in her woodwoman's garb, along with bow and arrows. "Very good, Ruby, lead on to the capital. Be alert for bandits, I understand this Kingdom has its fair share of them in the woods."

The werewolf saluted me and rode on. She wasn't very experienced in the saddle, but Snow and Ella had the horses so well in hand at this point that hers should give her no trouble.

.

We didn't actually see anyone on the rest of the way in, but we did pass a fairly disreputable-looking bar out in the woods that we wouldn't have stopped at even if I didn't vaguely remember something about it being a bandit hideout.

The Capitol itself was really quite impressive, both for its beauty and as a defensive bastion. The walled city took up an entire island with only a single causeway in or out. Riding across, I took the lead now with Ruby falling back with the maids. There was a decent amount of traffic besides us, mostly peasants and merchants, but they kept their distance from us. I guess even in a good kingdom, strange nobility was someone to be cautious around.

The guards at the gate into the walled city were attentive but left traffic unimpeded. As I pulled up to a stop, an officer walked out from what seemed like an office built into the wall itself. Could be a whole barracks back in there really, the walls were quite large. "My Lord." He called up to me with only a nod. "What can I do for you?"

"Greetings! I am Prince Guy of Fawkes on tour with my wife, the Lady Hilde. I would be most grateful." I tossed him the largest ruby I could find in my pouch. "If you could direct me to an inn of sufficient quality and arrange a meeting with the Captain of the Guard."

He had caught the ruby easily enough and interestingly, seemed more interested in studying me and my retinue than what he held in his hand. After a bit of scrutiny, he nodded. "Of course, my Lord, if you follow the main road into town, you will shortly come to a square with a large fountain in its center. To your right will be an inn, the Sundrop Flower, with royal accommodations. The food is some of the best in the city. If you were to enjoy dinner, the Captain will most likely be by before you finish."

"Many thanks, we shall drink a toast to your fortune." With a wave, I headed on in, riding my horse along the wide white stone boulevard with the others close behind.

Hilde rode up alongside before long. "He seemed quite suspicious."

"Strange nobility asking after the Captain, it would have been suspicious if he hadn't been."

She nodded. "Yes, true. I don't think he was very moved by your bribe though."

I laughed and reached over to catch her hand, and brought it up to kiss it. "The point wasn't to bribe him but to show him I had money. Wealthy enough to toss a good gem to a guard is less likely to be a fake. I don't doubt the ruby will be passed on to the Captain along with a full report."

Hilde smiled. "You think of everything."

"I try, no plan is ever foolproof though, which is why back-ups and contingencies are so important. But that takes even more thought." I winked at her, one schemer to another.

.

The inn in question was as impressive as the city, the golden lily on its sign a clear indication it held the ruler's favor. I doubted they'd boast of the flower that had saved the life of the infant Princess otherwise.

Arranging stable space and rooms wasn't a problem, a handful of gems earned their own kind of respect aside from an obviously royal couple. Hilde preened as she caught the eye of many, flaunting what she had. Ella, Rose, and Snow took our baggage up to our rooms before coming back down to eat at a servants' cantina, separate from the lavish dining hall Hilde and I were shown to after changing into fresh clothes.

It seemed more like a very high-end restaurant than just a place for the inn's guests to eat, and the number of other dinners seemed to support that. I doubted anywhere near this many were staying here. That boded well for the food, though I hadn't doubted the gate guard's word.

Also true to his word, while we were enjoying an excellent meal, a large man in uniform with a fierce mustache walked up to our table. I stood to greet him while Hilde stayed seated. "Ah, you must be the Captain of the Guard, greetings! Will you join us?"

He gave me and then Hilde a short bow each. While he was looking her over, I drank the potion I'd palmed earlier. "I would first ask what business you have in Corona, my Lord." He asked, turning back to me. Certainly a viable question.

"But of course. My wife and I are passing through on the way to Tirulia for the celebration of the Prince's birthday."

He raised his eyebrows at that. "To Tirulia? Most of our traffic comes from that direction, my Prince, not towards. Might I ask whence you came?"

"Why, from the south. Germonia, I believe the kingdom was called. My guide led us through the woods since there appeared to be no clear route directly here."

He seemed to take me at my word, which wasn't much of a shock. "You must have quite the guide, my Lord, the woods between Germonia and Corona are quite dangerous."

"Indeed, she's worked for us as warden of my estate for some time now. She is certainly at home in the woods and quite skilled."

Evidently having decided our purpose here was benign, he pulled out a chair and sat as I poured him some wine. "So exactly what is it I can do for you then, Prince Guy, while you are in the city?"

I toasted his health, it was a really good wine. "To business then. I hope you do not take this as a smear against you, but I have heard the road from here to Tirulia is plagued with bandits. I'm sure you and your men are more than capable of dealing with such ruffians near the city, but I'll be traveling beyond. I'd like to hire one of your guards as an escort to and from Tirulia, as we'll be passing back this way after the celebration. I understand your ward is looking to prove herself, but has more than excelled under your tutelage. I, of course, wouldn't think of asking her without clearing things with you first, both as her senior and father."

He tapped his finger on the table, seeming deep in thought as he drank more wine. "I do not question how you found out about Cassandra, as money has its ways, and all you say is true. It's also true that most of the scum out in the woods would melt away at the sight of a single guard in uniform. I understand you yourself are armed?"

"Indeed I am Captain, and well-versed in their use, but it is always good to have someone to watch your back. I ask not out of charity mind, I intend to pay and pay well for your ward's time and skills."

He nodded. "Truth be told she's been chomping at the bit for an opportunity like this." He tapped his fingers some more. "You swear to do right by her on this trip?"

"Captain, I swear upon all I hold dear I'll treat her as if she were my own." As she would be soon enough.

He stood and I with him, and he reached to clasp arms with me. "You have a deal then sir. When will you be heading out?"

"We have time before the celebration, but I'd like to be on the road sometime tomorrow if feasible. It wouldn't do to show up at the last minute."

He laughed with a hearty roar. "No, that it would not. I'll see she's here, ready to go, sometime before noon tomorrow. Safe journey, my Prince, for both our sakes."

With that, he tossed back the rest of his wine and made his way outside. "That went well. I'm not sure I even needed the potion."

"It never hurts to be extra persuasive, my love." Hilde told me.

I pulled her to me and kissed her in celebration. "Let's finish up here, then go to our room, and you can show me how persuasive you can be."

She whispered. "As you wish, Master."

If I couldn't get a bracelet on Cassandra during this trip I'd eat my hat. Or maybe another of Hilde's Silver Tongue potions.