Valiant (*On Hold*)

9 Reward - Tyne

Waiting for Kings was not something I was accustomed to. In truth, I had never before been in a position to conduct any business at all with a King. I had been stunned to find the gates actually opened to us when my party had ridden up to them and the Vyndolian princess had declared her identity with all the undeserved arrogance of royalty. The guards had been shocked and had taken their time in deciding whether or not to allow us in before deciding that they were more likely to be reprimanded for not letting the long-lost princess in than if they would and we passed through without further question. Only to find out patience tested as we waited for the King of Etzera to grace us with his presence.

As agitated as I felt, I knew my men felt it more. It was not just the waiting or the anxiety associated with an audience with the King. It was the girl as well. She had been riding with us for a fortnight to reach Etzera and she was on everyone's last nerves, particularly Hawk as she seemed to have taken an interest in him.

The princess had spent the better part of two weeks complaining about every aspect of living outdoors. Her slippers were muddy, her feet hurt, the bugs were biting, her hair was a mess. On and on it had went until a week in, Hawk had snapped and suggested she return to her captivity if she hated the travel so much. She had crossed her arms and stomped away and refused to speak a word to any of us until I had firmly reminded her of all we were doing for her. Etzera had never been in our plans and nor had she, but still we journeyed for weeks and miles to bring her to this place of refuge. After that, the complaining had ceased. Unfortunately, it turned to nonstop chatter and, after four days now of the endless talking, we were all ready to be rid of her. So, as it was, our patience was already worn razor thin and this king was surely testing it.

"How long are we to be expected to-"

Calder did not get to finish his sentence. He was interrupted by the sudden loud noise of an overly heavy door opening at the back of the chamber. Finally, a man entered. He was older, perhaps middle aged, with short cropped salt and pepper hair and matching beard and mustache. He was dressed in full plate and armed with a gleaming longsword at his hip. His experienced eyes travelled over each of us in turn, lingering in examination upon me as I was forefront and clearly the leader. He did not speak so I did.

"I was under the impression that the King was much younger."

"He is," the man spoke with a rough, low voice and the hint of a smirk upon his lips. "He is also away at battle. The princess will be receiving you."

"With all due respect, Captain," I said, noting the symbol upon his breast. He raised his chin, clearly impressed by my observational capacity. "I've had my fill of princesses as of late."

"We are quite the tiresome breed," a softer, more feminine voice spoke from behind me and I whirled to see the most beautiful woman I had ever seen standing in the doorway behind us.

She was smiling a pleasant court smile and her auburn hair tumbled in waves over her strong shoulders. My eyes followed the length of her deep purple gown, lingering in areas in a way that might have me beheaded. I could not help the smirk that spread upon my lips as she glided into the room, keen green eyes upon us as she passed, and I realized my men were all bowing.

"Rise," she spoke and they did. "You have no need to bow to me until I know who you are."

"Princess-" I began.

"Adelaide," someone else spoke and I turned to see the Vyndolian princess stepping forward. She gazed up at the Etzerian princess in awe, as if seeing for the first time what a true princess should look like. "We have never met. Though we were supposed to on the day that your family... I am sorry for your loss."

"As I am sorry for yours," the Princess responded, staring down at the girl with us. "Princess Madelyn? Of Vyndoli?"

The girl broke into a smile, tears of joy forming in her eyes and rolling down her pink cheeks. "I am. These brave men have brought me here upon my request. They rescued me from my captivity at Mardenall and have brought me all the way to Etzera so that I may seek refuge here. With your brother."