The Royal Escort.

"We ready?" I said as I rode into the courtyard of the castle and say Araseli and a dozen other knights mounting up. I felt a little under dressed for the occasion. I had finally broke down and bought a full Cuirass to cover my chest and back to wear over my jack of plate but even with that my pauldron and my vambraces I was lightly armored compared to the Knights. By broke down I mean Rose bought it for me and refused to let me ride off without it. Hell, I would probably never go to a wedding again without wearing chainmail at the very least given how the last one turned out.

"As set as we ever would be. Thanks for doing this. I know how busy you are these days." Araseli nodded.

"Please. I am a Baron. I have people that do all that stuff for me now. Last I checked the border was secure, the orc army moved south and the only thing that has crossed the border of any danger was a really horny bear who I am happy to say found his soulmate."

"Do I want to ask how you know that." She smirked.

"Dryads. It was a very touching tale. I almost cried at the end." I nodded. They knew better then anyone what went on in the Kingswood. Sadly they had a tendency to want to talk forever about everything.

"Of Course." Araseli smiled.

"Your highness's." I smiled hoping down off my horse and bowed.

"It is good to see you my lord." Seren smiled.

"You as well ladies." I replied. They got into the carriage and we headed off on our trip. I had never seen the south so this little trip would be interesting at least.

"Still no sigil." Araseli said as she smacked my pauldron that bore the royalcrest.

"I had a few ideas but they were all taken. It be confusing if I went to war and we both had the same sigil. Besides last I checked all the men I commanded served the king and queen and my lands were nothing but a bunch of trees."

"That could be your Sigil. Nothing inspires fear quite like a giant tree."

"The elves already use that one. I checked."

"You could always play off the whole goblin slayer thing. Maybe get an actual goblin skull and mount it on top."

"Pass." I replied.

"So were are we going anyways, and why?"

"Lady Cassandra has a date." Araseli shook her head. I hadn't really asked details when the queen said the princesses had asked me to ride along in their escort soft.

"This is a hell of an escort for a date." I look around. Eight nights plus me. I felt a little sorry for the boy.

"With lord Lionhart now king and his son heir to the throne the south will need a new ruler. The Duke has a lord who he trust with this duty but the marriage of his daughter to the future dukes son could cement the pact in blood." Araseli shrugged.

"So she is being **** to marry?"

"No." Araseli shook her head. "The duke wishes to know if they are compatible. They had been friends when they were younger so we are escorting her to meet him. If they get along he will came back with us and serve under her father until such time as he will take his fathers throne."

"So he can keep his daughter close." I smiled. Cleaver old bastard. In a sense the boy would be kind of a hostage.

"Yes."

"And if they aren't compatible?"

"We go home and you get to go back to designing your sigil." She teased. We rode for several hours before stopping for the princesses to take tea at a minor lords manor. I really didn't get the name of the lord or lady nor care though his daughter was kind of cute. I kind of liked not being recognized as a noble myself so I kept my distance and paroled the perimeter of the estate. When it got close to time to leave Araseli had me make a little appearance where the three girls were seated. The lord and lady had left them alone as the three girls talked among themselves about whatever young noble ladies talked about.

"My ladies. Araseli would like to know how much longer you plan to be. She would like to reach castle Stormshore before dark." Not the most appealing name for a castle but from what little I knew of it sat on a cliff overlooking the sea of storms.

"Shortly. We were just trying a bit of magic." Seren smiled.

"Is he the one?" The girl smiled and Cassandra nodded. "Do you have any skill in magic Baron?"

"A little. My lady." I nodded.

"He is being modest." Seren shook her head. "You want me to teach you a spell my lord?"

"If you wish my lady as it does not involve fruit." I grinned making her blush a little.

"Lets see." Seren looked around then pointed. "Oh I know. See that bird over there."

"They blue one?"

"Yep. That's the one. Hold out your hand and say Animalem delectationem amicum. You have to not want to hurt him or he will sense it and fly away." Seren smiled.

"Animalem delectationem amicum." I held out my hand. The bird flew toward me and landing on my finger.

"Wow. On his first try." The girl smiled. She had a certain innocence about her. "Can I hold him?"

"Sure here you go." I said slowly handing him over. He seemed so calm and peaceful.

"Don't suppose that works on dear." I joked.

"Not if you want to shoot them." Seren shook her head.

"Sweetie its almost time..." The lady of the house came out and looked at me. "Oh hello."

"Ah man, you scared him off." The young lady said and the bird flew off.

"My lady." I bowed.

"Mom this the Baron of the Kingswoods." The young lady said.

"Oh, I am sorry. I haven't heard of you." She did a little bow. "Where you at the queens wedding? Such a lovely ceremony ruined by that dreadful incident."

"Yes I was there way in the back for most of it." I nodded.

"I was just coming to ask the ladies if they were about ready to leave." She replied.

"Awe, yes. I am sure the captain would like to get on her way before it gets to late. You should come see us again Princess. Perhaps on your way back."

"Perhaps. Thank you for your hospitality." Seren said as she walked over and hugged the lady.

"Ladies." I nodded when I was leaving. Cassandra slowed a bit.

"You know the whole point of you being a duke is so people will know who you are and what you did." She looked at me. I simply shrugged and smiled.

"Care to ride with us. I would like to talk a bit about magic." Seren said when we got back to the carriage.

"Please do." Cassandra nodded.

"If the captain doesn't need me." I gave her a look hoping she might. I had slept with both of them on separate occasions so I wasn't sure I wanted to be alone with both if it should come up.

"Ah, go forth young lad, more dangerous is your quest then mine." Araseli smiled. I gave her a look and shook my head as she smiled..

"Very well, let me tie my horse to the carriage." I nodded and tied up my stead before climbing into the carriage. "So what kind of magic did you want to discuss."

"Muri sonus clauderet." Seren smailed and touched the side of the carriage.

"I am afraid I already know that spell." I smiled.

"We wanted to thank you for saving my father." Cassandra smiled pulling the window curtain closed.

"Both of our fathers now." Seren smiled.

"Right sorry. Still getting used to that." Cassandra nodded.

"As well as for risking your own life to give us a chance to escape." Princess Seren smiled. "We thought we might... Try something..."

"We thought we would try somethings neither of us got to do when we were with you." Cassandra said. Called it. I thought to myself.

"So you told each other?"

"Um Hum." Seren nodded.

"Yep." Cassandra smiled.

"I got a copy of the book you gave the High Priestess in the Elderwoods. It was very..." Seren blushed. I still found it attractive how she stumbled over her words when she was embarrassed.

"Informative." Cassandra smiled. "Even though I can't do magic I found parts of it interesting when it came to sexual techniques and practices. Some of it could be very useful when we are married with a little practice."