The Trip to Eddis

The morning of the journey came far too early for Aliana's liking. She was standing outside of her chamber looking slightly bleary-eyed. Her blue travel dress complimented her bright sea blue eyes and deep ruby red hair. Edith and another maid were standing to the side of the princess and were waiting for Pryja and Louie to come to meet them.

The ladies in waiting walked up to Aliana together in a hurried manner.

Aliana looked like she was still sleeping and her ladies went on either side of her to help her to the carriage that awaited them.

Outside by the gatehouse of the castle, a procession of guards, carriages, and carts went on for as far as the eyes could see.

King Ferdinand was waiting in front of the royal carriage for his daughter so that he could send her off.

As the five women approached the king he could only shake his head. Of course, Aliana didn't look ready at this early hour of the day.

"My daughter, I hope you wake up by the time you are in Eddis," King Ferdinand jested.

"Father King, I don't think that will be a problem," the princess mumbled.

"I wish you luck and hope you find love or the opportunity of love, my dear," King Ferdinand said. "There shall be a ball to announce your arrival the day you get there to meet the 14 men and then a ceremony on the final day to announce your choice."

Aliana finally looked alert and she nodded. She gave her father a hug goodbye. Pryja and Louie helped her into the royal carriage and joined in behind her. Edith and her under maid went to the next carriage and got in.

The procession started to move as a long caterpillar slowly but surely until they were underway in their journey to Eddis.

The journey was long and the scenery of Astaria was beautiful with rolling hills on one side and the coast on another side. Astaria was the most powerful kingdom on the continent and ruled over the other countries as principalities with their own independent Grand Princes to rule them.

Long ago Astaria conquered these lands and gave the rulers the choice of being under their rule with more freedom as a Grand Prince rather than another province of Astaria.

A large number of countries rebelled against the Astarian occupation of their countries to the point where they were absorbed into Astaria, the strongest seven countries realized how much they had to gain from being a principality rather than a kingdom.

Back in the carriage, Aliana was bored with her sewing project. Pryja was napping, and Louie was engrossed in a book. Aliana wanted to ride the horse she brought with her instead of being cooped up in the carriage.

Since Aliana was a small child she knew she would be queen when her father had no other children besides her. She was taught how to fight and be a warmaker, as well as how to rule a country.

At nineteen years old she was more than capable of being Queen of Astaria but the law decreed that if a woman was to rule she had to have a King Consort by her side. Aliana hated this rule and wanted to rule by herself.

"Stop the carriage," the princess ordered and hit the roof of the carriage as hard as she could three times. Pryja was startled awake and Louie dropped her book. "I can't stay in here for another minute."

The ladies nodded and helped her change into her riding pants and boots that they had brought in the carriage with them. Aliana stretched her legs for the first time in six hours and felt her back and hips popping.

Octavian was a black stallion that had grown up right alongside the princess when she first began her riding lessons. Aliana got onto Octavian with no help and gives her old friend a pat on the head and a good scratch behind the ears before convincing him to move with a clicking sound.

Aliana was happy to be on a horse and feel the wind on her face instead of sitting in her carriage.

One of her knights, Galien the Dragonheart, rode next to her after a few more hours of riding. "Your Highness, I don't know if it is wise for you to be riding through the woods coming up ahead, there are known bandits that lurk."

"I think I can handle a few bandits, Sir Galien," she huffed. "If you want to ride at my side for the entirety of the forest I would not mind, however."

"Very good, Princess Aliana, I shall get Sir Arthurus as well just to be safe," Sir Galien said before riding down the line of carriages and men. Aliana rolled her eyes at Galien's protectiveness over her. He was one of her many teachers in combat training and swordplay.

At the entrance of the Strogmoor forest, Sir Galien and Sir Arthurus flanked the princess' sides on their own horses. Both of the knights were extremely concerned about the safety of their future queen, the bandits were fearsome warriors who went rouge from the Astarian army, yet knew not to speak out against her wishes.

As the Crown Princess of Astaria, Aliana had to be protected but not sheltered against the horrors of the world and she had to learn to face them herself. Her Princessguard was aware of this fact and could only help to defend the princess rather than sequester her in a carriage for a week.

The trees were dense and thick with brush in the forest to the point where you could hardly see the path in front of you. It was dangerous for unseasoned travelers to go this route but it was the quickest way to Eddis and Aliana was due to be there in a week, not the month the other route would take.

There was rustling in the leaves that made Octavian whinny worriedly, twitching his ears like he had heard a predator.

Before the princess could say anything four large men wielding knives and swords rushed the royal carriage and the guards surrounding it. She looked at her knights in shock for a moment before she pulled her sword from its sheath that was attached to her saddle.

"With me," She commanded and the two men dropped from their horses and raised their own swords. "No one attacks my ladies."