The conquest of the human kingdoms shall begin

9 Days later.

The pompous carriage had a splendid and golden exterior, the long and colourful banners of Illiria wavering against the wind, undefeated by its elemental strength, a bastion of virtue and justice. Six white horses carried the coach with synchronous trot, a proudly march for a proud kingdom. A hundred armoured men escorted the carriage along the king's road, but that was just the exterior. Inside the carriage, the world was somber, the light was darker, it's occupants silent.

Princess Karla had a sad and desolated look as she looked through the window. The fire of her auburn hair seemed dimmer, her fair skin darkened by the shadows, the jewels over her necklace did not shine the same. She hadn't speak for days, she barely ate anything.

"Don't be so troubled, my lady. It will all go well, you shall see." Those were empty words and Marian knew it. She knew that she was lying to her most beloved lady but what else could she do? It was so heartbreaking to see her this sad, so quiet and afflicted. She was not this quiet and grey woman. She was proud, decided and true to her word, a young and inspiring leader, a virginal and noble beauty, not this.

"It will never go well." She said "It will never..." Her voice was soft and feeble and tears prevented her to continue. Marian got closer and hugged her beautiful lady. Soon, they were both crying together, alone inside that pompous but dark carriage. These last weeks had been harsh and cruel beyond belief. Why do men go into these senseless wars? Why do they need to spread misery and **** to each other? The princess had lost both of her valiant brothers, she had lost most of her friends and in the last days of the war she had seen the whole city below her tower chocked in flames. Her father had been ****, too headstrong to accept defeat until the very end. Now they had surrender, their once proud nation was now a subservient and conquered joke and she had been the price of peace. Now they carried her in this sad procession and princess Karla would marry the man that killed her brothers and humiliated his father and people. She will be his prize, his wife and prisoner, and she could never return to her home. The man had many names and titles: Dorian the Cruel, Dorian the Black Dread...

...and now... Dorian the Conqueror.

"I have to do it, Marian..." Said the princess with an strange and sad tone. "I will be miserable and unhappy, but that is the price to pay. If I do this, no more will die, no more will suffer, only me. I have to do it, it is what my people expect of me." For a moment, a hint of the princess' old character emerged to the surface, her resolve and courage, her will to do what was right despite all odd. Marian eyes soon produced a different kind of tears, she was proud of her, she will save their kingdom, as long as she lived there was hope.

Then, the carriage stopped.

"What's happening?" Asked Karla as she opened the window.

Soon, a soldier was there to answer her. "Sorry, m'lady. The path is blocked."

"Blocked?"

"One of the big trees fell over it a hundred meters from here, noble one. Our men are now..."

"HELP!"

The scream came from the woods, carried by the wind. A young and blonde peasant girl came running from the darkness of the forest, tears in her eyes, her dress ruined and dirty. A dozen soldiers turned back to her, weapons ready to fight her.

"You will get no closer, woman!" Said the captain of the royal guards in a stern tone.

"Help me please!" Plead the girl with her teary eyes."There is a monster, an evil monster, on the woods... It was dreadful and ugly... I was so scared... I think it has hurt my mommy! Please, help me!"

"Stay back". Said the captain again.

The man was ready to express a much more violent negative, but then the princess intervened. She opened the door of the carriage, her luscious auburn hair wavering against the wind, longer and prouder than the banners around her. Her tears already dry, her old resolve back. "Stop this nonsense, captain! A woman pleads for her life and you show her only the sword. Shame on you!" The man stood quiet, but he did not sheathed his sword. It was his duty not to. "Come closer, little one."

The peasant girl walked to them, trembling hands pressed against her chest, her breaths interrupted by her sobbing. "Please, beautiful lady. My mommy... she is back there and I don't know what happened to her. I was so scared... I don't want to..." Tears came once more to her and she was not able to finish.

"We will help you, young woman." Said the princess with her old tone, her virginal and radiant beauty shinning against the dark world. Marian looked at her, proud of her courage and values. She is the queen we need.

"M'lady, I'm sorry but we cannot be detoured for this." Said the captain of the guards again. "This could very well be..."

"I have seen enough suffering in these dark days, captain. I will see no more. I will allow no more." She got closer to the girl and look upon her with concern, her soft hands caressing her teary cheeks. "What's your name, little one?"

The blonde peasant looked back at her and produced a shy smile. "This one's name is Myrce."

"You are safe now, Myrce. Bring us to your mother."