Carriage breakdown

The entire Goldblood royal family was traveling south to meet with the leaders of Varreth, a kingdom to the south. Princess Abigail had been resistant to going, but her father had insisted.

"The king of Varreth has six sons." Her father had explained. "Surely one of them will make a satisfactory suitor for you!"

So Abigail had been forced from the comfort of her room to the week long trip. She hated travel. She hated being out in the world, and kept the blinds of her carriage shut at all times. What was out there to see, Peasants toiling? She had no interest in that! She whined constantly, harassing her driver about the bumps in the road, their slow pace, and insisted on constant meal and rest breaks.

Then, on the third day of the trip their carriage had broken a wheel. The rest of the royal procession had continued on, leaving Abigail's carriage behind with two guards who stood watch while the driver changed the wooden wheel.

"I can't believe this!" Abigail fumed from in the carriage. She stuck her her out to yell at the driver.

"This is all your fault you bumbling idiot!" She berated the poor man. "Hurry up and fix that wheel or I'll see you hanged!"

"Y...yy....yes, your majesty!" He stammered, shaking in fear as he worked. The guards rolled their eyes at the bratty princess.

"What a little wench!" One whispered to the other.

"True, but a lovely one at that!" The other whispered back. "I'd love to teach her some manners."

"Perhaps it's just tension." The other guard smiled. "Maybe some relaxing time with a real man would straighten her out!"

"You two!" Abigail yelled. She hadn't heard them, but saw their mouth's move. "Shut up! You are paid to guard me, not gabble like a knitting circle!"

The guards stood rigid, terrified of the princess's wrath. That was when disaster struck...