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[Blade Master Model 42]

"You've forgotten your superiors, Otiros! Mind you don't forget us on the road, eh?" Two riders approached, leading an three horses between them. Each was laden with supplies.

"Wedge! Mind your tongue before the princess." The second, more serious of the pair said, dismounting before Diana. "My lady, we have prepared horses and supplies for the journey. Please take heart; the journey will not be overlong, and we should be well out of harms way before the fighting begins."

"Apologies, sir Biggs.  I did not mean offense." Wedge remained upon his horse, and spoke to the other soldiers. "I hope you know how to ride a horse. If something comes up, not that it should, make sure you dismount first. These old nags aren't warhorses, you know." Wedge nodded briefly to Freya. "Of course, none of that applies to you."

[SeriousConcentrate]

Diana nodded to Otiros.

"I understand why I have to leave... I don't like it and don't want to, but I understand and I'm prepared to start this journey."

She mounted the horse Biggs pointed out to her.

"Thank you, sir Biggs. I believe these supplies should be sufficient, and hopefully we'll not run into any trouble."

Diana looked at her allies, one by one.

"My father has chosen the five of you to guard me. I suppose we should get to know each other a little better; it's likely we may be residing at our neighbor's castle for a few months, and I would like to know my companions better. It would be terrible to be stuck in a foreign land with only strangers."

She smiled at them, hoping to put them at ease. As for herself, she was struck by how little she knew of any of them; Tyrn she knew the most about, and even that wasn't much... honestly, little more than that he had been adopted and was skilled with a lance.

[Praefectus Screptum]

"My apologies! I would never forget about you two! It is always a honor to be talking to veterans!"

The newbie crossbowman presented another salute and looked back to Diana.

"If we were chosen for such a important task, we won't disappoint you."

He climbed on the horse and waited patiently.

[Furtuka]

"Sirs, milady! Shall we be off?"

[Blade Master Model 42]

"Very well! Let us be off!"

With that, the group trotted out of the castle, on-duty soldiers saluting as they went.

"I must admit, I could get used to this."

"Wedge, be mindful of your duty. We are here as the princess' escort and guard, not celebrities."

"Ah, yes, of course..."

The group took a road headed north, and the castle was soon just a small shape in the distance.

[SeriousConcentrate]

Diana looked down and stroked her horse's mane silently. Her overture to conversation had been ignored. Maybe it was because there was the wall of noble blood, of status, between herself and her companions. Perhaps in their eyes, she was merely the princess, a symbol... not a worried seventeen year old woman, afraid of what the war meant for her family and her country. She resolved herself to toughen up and act more regally. That wall of blood was there for a reason. Perhaps it was best she didn't get to know her traveling companions too deeply. They were there to fight, to die if need be, for her to reach Castle Ulfijan safely. In the eyes of history, her life would be the only one that mattered.

...I don't see how anyone can be that cold, that impersonal. I don't want any of my people to die for me. I understand that the blood of Durhiel must be preserved and so I must live, but...

The princess petted her horse's ears again. Her thoughts were conflicted, and having something else to focus on helped.

"Biggs, Wedge. Do you know this horse's name?"

[Blade Master Model 42]

"Er, my apologies your highness. I do not. Wedge? ...WEDGE!"

"Ah! What? What is it?"

"The princess asked you if you knew the name of her horse."

"Can't say that I do. It's a messenger steed, I only really know the battle horses. You can name her as you will, princess. I'm sure she shan't object."

[Praefectus Screptum]

"I could swear they named all the kinds of horses.."

[SeriousConcentrate]

"I see. Thank you anyway."

She petted the chestnut-colored horse on the side of her neck.

"I suppose I'll call you... Eurydice. I think the sound of it suits you."

[Furtuka]

"It's a lovely name milady"

[Blade Master Model 42]

"I could swear they named all the kinds of horses.."

"Don't be daft man, of course they do. Just... They keep the warhorses in a different stable, and I can't be bothered to know the name of every horse in the keep."

Eurydice, for her part, gave a whinny. She sounded happy.

[SeriousConcentrate]

"I wish I'd thought to bring a sugar cube or other treat for you. You are a fine example of an equestrian animal."

She returned her eyes to the road ahead.

"What sort of terrain lies between here and Castle Ulfijan?"

She was hoping for some interesting scenery. Perhaps some old ruins, or a hill with a magnificent view.

[Blade Master Model 42]

"It's plains broken up by rivers all the way to Ulfijan. Once we cross the border, we'll start to see more trees and hills. We're to travel inconspicuously, so we won't be stopping in any towns, your highness. I know that our path will take us through a dense forest near to the end, but it's supposed to be well patrolled, and the path is wide."

[Furtuka]

"I have heard that Ulfijan is quite lovely this time of year"

[Praefectus Screptum]

"Chill out, Wedge. I wasn't even sure if I was right about that."