Visit Courtney’s Uncle

“Come with me to visit my Uncle Sapiens,” suggests Courtney. “He just returned from his travels to Necoprotarium, and it would be a wonderful opportunity to hear his adventures. He lives on the other side of Obsidian Forest, and it would give us a chance to get away from here for a while and see a rarely-visited part of the Kingdom.”

Adella’s eyes brighten at the thought. “The Obsidian Forest! I don’t believe even my brothers have been there! That sounds so mysterious! Oh, but Father would never permit me to go out unguarded — particularly to a remote place like that!”

“I’ve thought about that, too,” says Courtney. “You know my brother Dathan is a member of the Palace Guard. He seems to have found favor with the King. What if he were to accompany us as your personal guard? It would probably be safer and less noticeable than having a large military detachment with us, anyway?”

Adella considers this. “That is certainly possible. I don’t know, though.... Dathan is unmarried and a fine figure of a man; my father may not think highly of me being escorted, unchaperoned, by such a man.”

“Well, you wouldn’t be alone, would you? I would be with you.”

Adella considers this. “The Obsidian Forest.... I have heard such stories all my life of the tree nymphs, and leprechauns, and satyrs....”

“And don’t forget the witches, trolls, and hogbethian fire squids,” adds Courtney. “There is a bit of danger, too, but my brother knows his way with a sword.”

“I think your idea is exciting!” says Adella. “I only fear that Father will say no, and it will be worse for me than it is now, having had such adventure dangled before me, only to see it snatched away!”

“Well... we could always just sneak away,” says Courtney.

“Leave the castle without permission?” Adella’s eyes are wide at the thought.

“Are you telling me your brothers have never snuck out without telling anyone? Dathan himself has told me about Duncan posing as a recruit in the Palace Guard and going on a scouting mission to the Obscurian border. And even as a young girl I remember seeing a young man who bore a striking resemblance to Stewart, playing with the boys in the village, and there were no guards around to keep him safe.”

“No doubt this is true,” admits Adella, “but my brothers hav always had more liberty than I.”

“Besides,” says Courtney. “Suppose you are caught? What is the worst that could happen? Would your father punish you by marrying you off to Prince Norloch of Upland?”

Adella makes a fist and drives it into her palm. “You speak truth, Courtney! This may be my first and final opportunity at independence before taking up my duty as the obedient wife of some lout. I may as well experience life while I can!”

“Now you are talking, Your Highness!” says Courtney, enthusiastically. “So what’s it going to be then? Do we go with my brother, or shall we flee in secrecy?”