The Princess Departs

Her handmaiden woke us some time later. Her and the handmaiden began to pack. I meet Araseli for one last sparing session. This time she taught me a little bit about using two swords. Same principle as the shield using one to block and one to attack but you could switch which one was which so as to throw your opponent off.

"So why are they coming for the princess so soon?" I said as we finished up.

"Duke Warrick has been giving weapons and armor to goblin town and orc-hold. That puts the elven kingdom at risk." I had heard of the settlements. Lands granted to the lesser races for their assistance during the last war.

"Meanwhile he can engage the queen without having to worry about the eleven armies interference."

"Exactly. You might just make a good military leader one day. If you don't get yourself killed first. Here this is for you." She said handing me a small scroll.

"What is it?"

"With that you have permission to carry weapons and armor into the city as well as join the Adventurers guild if you like." She smiled.

"Thanks."

"You saved our asses on the road that day so I owed you one. Try not to burn the capital down while I am away." She smiled. I could hear the sound of riders. A lot of them coming down the main road. By the time we reached the road we saw an large group of riders dismount their steeds along with several centaurs. They weren't the elves I had seen in the city. They where wild elves. Not so much as a different race but more of a tribe of elven riders. They wore leather armor decorated with fur and feathers and had war paint on their faces.

"A woman came up who looked like she had to be leader of this little group."

"Your highness." Araseli bowed. I quickly followed suit.

"You bring a human into our woods and to one of our most sacred places." She looked at me.

"This human has protected the princess on two separate occasions." Araseli replied.

"So you are the one I have heard about. At least you are easy on the eyes for a round ear." The wild elf smiled.

"This is Seren's cousin Willow Dawnstar..."

"Commander of the first Calvary... You get the drift. Lets save all of the boring stuff for when my mother or father show up. We been on the road for days now." She smiled and gave me a hug and a pat on the back. She wasn't how I pictured the princess of the elven kingdom, or any princess for that matter.

"We have hot food and cold drink waiting for you my lady." A voice said. We turned to see the priestess come out to great everyone.

"Ah Priestess. It has been to long." Willow said as she went over and gave the priestess a kiss and a wink.

"Are we sure shes an elf." I whispered to Araseli.

"I heard that." Willow turned and smiled at me. I forget those ears weren't just for looks. "Come men." She said and her entourage started making its way into the village if one could call it that. I decided to join them. Many of the elves where less outgoing as their leader, they acted more like seasoned warriors, but the centaurs not so much. Sadly the rest of the day went by quickly and before I knew it they had the princesses carriage ready to go a little after noon.

"So I guess this is goodbye for now." Seren hugged Cassandra.

"I will see you soon my lady." Cassandra said hugging her back and wiping away a tear from the princesses face. From what little I had seen the two where like sisters.

"I hope so." She smiled and then came over to me.

"Take care of Cassandra and see that she gets back safe."

"I will your highness." I went to do a bow but got a hug instead. She smiled as she slid off and gave me a wink that the others who where waiting on her couldn't see. She headed off to the Carriage where Araseli waited.

"Here Archer." Princess Willow said as she rode by and tossed a stick at me. I could tell it was a bow but not like I had ever seen before since it curved like a river even when unstrung. She smiled and headed off toward the front. The princess got in and gave one last look before the carriage door closed and she headed off.

"Miss her already?" Cassandra teased.

"A little." I shrugged. Though that was a lie. We thanked the priestess for her hospitality and mounted up on our horses and headed home. It was late when we got back to the city. The guards stopped us for about a second before lady Cassandra revealed who she was. I didn't have to use the scroll that Araseli gave me.

We traveled on through old town. Most of the buildings where much older and made of stone. I could only imagine how much it would cost to live here. When we finally reached the castle I was amazed. It stood taller then I could have ever imagined. Even in the moonlight it was a sight to behold. The main court yard was massive. Cassandra and I unloaded what little stuff we had and handed over the horses to a stable hand and went inside. I really just wanted a peek inside before I headed back to my life among the common rabble.

"Cassandra." A voice said as a very beautiful woman came toward us.

"Your majesty." Cassandra bowed and I quickly followed suit. She was beautiful woman who looked more like she would be Seren's older sister and not her mother. Her feathers where more elven with smaller breast and a slender figure then her daughter but she had the same beautiful eyes and blonde hair.

"Is my daughter safe?"

"She rides with Willow and her company for the capital as we speak." Cassandra nodded.

"Thank the goddess. And who is your friend?" The Queen asked.

"He aided us on the road when we where ambushed. This is her Majesty Rhiana Mairdnarn." Cassandra looked back at me.

"Your grace."

"Then the kingdom owes you a great debt sir. If there anyway I can ever repay you for such gallantry all you need to do is ask." The Queen said offering her hand.

"Meeting you was all the reward I need your majesty." I said taking her hand and kissed it softly.

"Very well but the offer still stands. You are welcome to return to the castle any time you like. The hour grows late, if you require lodgings for the night we would be happy to provide." The Queen nodded.

"I appreciate that your majesty but I already have a place to stay and people who I have not seen in many days."

"Of course. I understand. May the mothers blessing guide you."

With that I headed back towards the tavern on foot, it was as closes a thing to a home that I had since I had left my village. It was a site for sore eyes when I got there. The place was quit for once meaning most of the patrons where most likely in bed. As I entered I saw all the chairs where up and rose was sweeping the floor.

"Sorry, where full up unless you want a drink..." She started to say as she looked up at me. She dropped the broom and ran over throwing her arms around my neck. "You had me so worried."

"Hey, it's okay. I'm fine." I rubbed her back.

"Sura told us some of what happened. Is the princess safe." Rose said as she slide of of me.

"Yes." I nodded and looked up to see Helga coming over.

"See I told you he would be fine." Helga smiled and gave me a hug as well.

"Are you hungry? I can reheat some stew if you like." Rose said.

"No, I wouldn't want to put you out though a little bread and cheese."

"I will go get it." Helga smiled and headed back and got some food and brought it back and rose poured me a drink. They had a hundred questions for me about the princess. Granted I couldn't answer all of them.

"So did I miss anything?" I smiled eating the last of the cheese.

"Not really, its been busy as ever here, I have been trying to get dad to hire on some more help but he is stubborn. He also kind of gave up your room." Rose made a face. "I saved everything you left though."

"Guess I can't blame him. Is their any others?" I shrugged and drunk the last of my drink. Guess I should have taken the queen up on her offer.

"No, but you can crash with me and Helga if you like. We share a room in the cellar." Rose smiled.

"I wouldn't want to put you out."

"It's okay me and Helga can share my bed." Rose said. I headed on down while the girls finished closing up and dropped my stuff beside the smaller bed. It didn't look very comfortable so I took out my bear skin rug and tossed it on top of the bed.

"Wow, is that bare skin?" I heard Rose say as she came in.

"Yep." I nodded.

"I changed my mind, I am sleeping with him." Helga teased as she entered.

"I don't need you two keeping me all night." Rose shook her head and took off her shoes rubbing her feet.

"Your welcome to join." Helga grinned. "Hey you dropped something." Helga came over and picked a book off of the ground and opened it.

"You may not want to read that."

"Oh my.." Helga giggled as she went over to where Rose was sitting and showed it to her.

"Thinking of taking up magic?" Rose teased.

"I can do a little." I shrugged.

"No way." Rose shook her head. I smiled and came over and took a knee. "Give me your foot."

"Why?" She gave me a look.

"Just do it." I smiled and she handed me her foot.

"Senso nullum dolorem." I said rubbing her feet. She let out a little sigh.

"That feels pretty good. I have been on my feet all day." Rose smiled and offered the other foot as well which I was glad to do, taking the opportunity to move my hand up her calf. I was half tempted to see how far she would let me get.

"Here try one of these on her." Helga said handing me the book.

"Helga." Rose blushed.

"Oh come on you know your curious. If not he can do one on me." Helga grinned.

"Fine." Rose rolled her eyes. I smiled flipping through the book for the right spell. Many I didn't think where appropriate or a little above my understanding since I was still learning.