Rider Displaced

Chapter 4

After having met with the princess of the kingdom, both Walker and Amber now had a direct opportunity to get in the good graces of the current ruler, and bring forth their original purpose for being here. During the first half of the flight, the princess was completely terrified, holding on to the rider tight enough that if she held any tighter she could strangle him. However that sense of terror quickly began to be overshadowed by awe and wonder. It was a marvel for her, being as high as the clouds where only griffins and birds flew. So far now she seemed to be enjoying herself on Amber's back, though she eventually started asking questions such as how high she could fly or how fast?

"So tell me princess. What was someone like you doing out here in the first place? Shouldn't you be in the castle or something, helping maintain the kingdom?" Walker asked, curious as to how she found herself at the hands of those kidnappers.

"I was returning from the city of Avore after a pleasure visit to my recently wed brother and my new sister-in-law. I didn't bring much in escort as I wanted our movements to be inconspicuous to the general public of the city. They go crazy when a royal is visiting. However on the way back we were pursued and attacked by those bandits who killed the drivers and took me captive. After that, you showed up to my rescue."

"I see. Unfortunate I could not arrive in time to save them as well." Walker was beginning to hope he had arrived quicker to aid them before these bandits had attacked. Civilians did not deserve to die in such a gruesome fate, especially against scum of the world.

"At least you made certain their efforts were not in vain." The princess responded. "When the bandits attacked they tried everything in their power to keep me safe, even tried side ramming one of the bandits' horses when they got too close. There was nothing more they could've done, it was just bad luck. But still, the news will be hard on their families. Perhaps it would ease them if I gave my honors to their grave stones."

She cares about the people who serve under her, that much Walker could make out. She must also be very popular if a city going crazy about her arrival is anything to go by. Perhaps he and Amber had made a very powerful ally that could come in handy in the near future.

"What about you?" She then asked the rider. "What was your initial reason for coming to the city before finding me?"

"We flew over from the forest in the mountains west of here, from a village called Graydale. The people came under attack by members of the Order of Shadows and burned their storehouse down, so they've lost almost all of their provisions to last them until the next harvest. I promised to fly over on behalf of them to request aid from the king for the villagers."

"The Order of Shadows?" The princess questioned the name.

"They were easy to deal with." Amber declared. "They all started running in fear after I showed up."

"Anyone would run in fear of a dragon like yourself, Great Amber." The princess responded but ended up getting a grumble from the dragon.

"I don't do well with fancy titles. I only go by my name, Amber."

"Very well, Amber." The princess answered before making a declaration. "As princess of the Kingdom of Edith I hereby promise to ensure supplies are delivered to the people of Graydale to last them until the coming harvest!"

"Do you have such power?" Walker asked.

"I may not be my father, but I hold some authority amongst the kingdom." Princess Fiona answered. "If my subjects need aid then I cannot stand ignorant when I can help. I will talk with some the staff available to me to prepare a caravan, and hire some trustworthy adventures to protect it until it reaches it's destination."