"You expect me to believe that you come from another world? That Eos kidnapped you, both of you, and brought you here so you can what? Save Eostia from a horrible fate? Is that what you're trying to say to me?"

"Yes."

Alicia gave the Champion a deadpan look before looking up at Knight-Captain Fiona.

"Please tell me you brought a set of shackles and a gag."

"Hey!"

After their initial meeting, Alicia and the Knights of Iris brought Aedan and Marian to an inn near the town of Marren where the Mage Champion proceeded to explain their peculiar situation to the Princess Knight of Iris. And to nobody's surprise, Alicia didn't believe a single word Marian said. The Princess Knight sighed and rubbed her temple as she looked at the Mage Champion across the table.

Marian was currently nursing a drink while literally playing with fire. Conjuring a small fireball, the Mage Champion then froze the ball of flame before said frozen fireball dropped into her awaiting palm. She looked to the side and threw the frozen fireball at a drunken man that was groping the waitress. The frozen fireball shattering upon impacting on the man's head and knocking him out.

Aedan sat beside Marian and gave the Mage Champion a look.

"Really?"

The response he got was a lopsided smirk and a shrug. The Grey Warden rolled his eyes before turning to Alicia.

"I know it may sound farfetched but it is the truth, Your Highness."

Alicia sighed and rubbed her temples before looking up at the Grey Warden. The Princess Knight usually looked up when talking to the Jarls, they were at least 6 feet tall, but talking to Aedan was just plain ridiculous. The man was the tallest person, human, she had ever met. She felt her neck strain just by talking to him because she had to look up most of the time. Even Großherrin Claudia and Divine Celestine weren't that tall who stood at 5'10 and 5'11 respectively.

"What proof do you even have that all of this is true?"

Aedan opened his mouth to speak but shut it as he didn't really have an answer before elbowing Marian who was checking her nails and wondering if she can scratch someone's eyes out with them. The Mage Champion glared up at the Grey Warden after he elbowed her and Aedan motioned his head towards Alicia.

"Her Highness just asked us for proof."

"Well why didn't you say so?"

Marian took off Eos' Amulet and handed it over to the Princess Knight.

"Given to me by the Goddess herself. Said something about protecting me from mind control spells and the like." She explained.

Alicia observed the silver amulet and the golden symbol carved in the front which let out a slight glow. Not too noticeable unless viewed up close.

"It's fancy, I'll give you that, but it's still not proo- "

The amulet glowed brightly to the point that it was blinding and the Princess Knight raised her arm to shield her eyes from the bright light.

"Please, child. Open your eyes."

Alicia didn't recognize the voice but she something told her to trust the voice and she lowered her arm before opening her eyes. She wasn't in the tavern anymore and she was all alone. Everything around her was pure white except the sky and the ground she was standing on reflected said sky. She then realized her sword wasn't with her. Normally, she would've been alert and looking for anything she could use as a weapon yet that same feeling that told her to trust the voice kept her from losing her temper. In fact, the feeling was calming her somewhat.

"Over here, child."

The Princess Knight turned to the direction of the voice and saw a woman with long flowing scarlet hair and wearing a saffron colored robe as well as a tiara. She was sitting on a large, white, low sitting marble chair. Alicia then noticed the pair of large, folded white wings attached to the woman's back. It didn't take long for Alicia to realize that she was in the presence of the Goddess of the Dawn, Eos.

The Princess Knight dropped to one knee and lowered her head.

"Forgive me, Your Divine Holiness." Alicia began "I- I never thought I would be graced by the presence of the Goddess."

"Oh, Alicia. There's no need to kneel."

Alicia heard footsteps approach but refused to raise her head only for a smooth hand, one that reminded her so much of her mother's touch, gently raised her head by pushing her chin up and the Princess Knight was enraptured by the pair of amber eyes staring back at her.

Eos smiled and removed her hand from Alicia's chin.

"Is this the proof you seek, child?"

"Y-Yes." She managed to stutter out before clearing her throat "I mean. Yes, Your Divine Holiness."

But then something dawned on Alicia and she looked up at the Goddess in alarm.

"So then what the Mage said was true. They had come to save Eostia from falling."

"Yes. It is why I brought them here but they cannot do this alone." Eos brought a hand on Alicia's shoulder "You are one of these Heroes, Alicia. And it is your duty to change Eostia's fate. Are you up to the task?"

Alicia's eyes widened before narrowing in resolution. She stood up and puffed out her chest before placing a fist over her heart.

"I will not fail you, Your Divine Holiness." The Princess Knight stated with conviction "I will give my all and see Eostia saved or die trying."

"It is admirable for you to say this but... "

Eos smiled sadly at the Princess Knight before placing her hand in the blonde's cheek.

"I know the burden of ruling your Kingdom this early in your life weighs heavy on your shoulders, child. You worry about your people, your comrades, your family. You would put the happiness of others before yours but you still have a lot to live for, Alicia. Don't be so hasty as to meet death at such a young age. Besides. What would Prim feel if you were to die?"

Alicia's eyes widened before she looked away as her hair shadowed her eyes.

"She would be devastated." Eos continued "She has already lost her parents. To lose the cousin she sees as a sister as well. It would break young Prim's heart. Can you live with that? Knowing that you would break her already fragile heart?"

"No." The Princess Knight muttered "But I am the Princess Knight of Iris and the Queen of Feoh."

Alicia never really called herself a Queen, a Queen regnant to be precise. Feeling that she wasn't worthy and ready to rule the throne even though the Jarls address her as Queen.

"I took an oath to protect the weak and the innocent. To be the shield of my people. And fight to maintain the peace in this realm. Like my father before me."

"I see that I cannot sway you, child." The Goddess sighed "Then I hope you find good fortune and glory in your days in the mortal realm and succeed in your duty. Farewell, Alicia Arcturus. Princess Knight of Iris and Queen of Feoh."

Eos gave Alicia one last smile as everything around the Princess Knight began to fade. Her time with the Goddess of Dawn was over. It was time to return to the mortal realm.

"You're father speaks highly of you as he feasts in Valhalla. Make him proud, Young Queen."

Alicia blinked and gone was the Goddess of the Dawn. The Princess Knight was once more in the tavern and in her hand was Eos' Amulet. She looked at the glowing sigil before turning back to Marian and handed the amulet back to the Mage Champion.

"It seems what you say is true after all, Champion. Warden."

"Wait? That's it?" Marian raised a brow "You took a look at this thing then suddenly you change your mind? Did the Goddess give me the wrong amulet? I thought this thing was supposed to protect people from mind control."

"I'm not brainwashed, Hawke." Alicia deadpanned.

"Oh." Then Marian shrugged and put away the amulet "Good for you then. Now what?"

"Well. A base of operations is a good start." Aedan suggested.

"I can take care of that."

The two looked at the Princess Knight with raised brows and Alicia clarified.

"You can stay in Arcturus Keep with me. I will provide both of you lodgings in the keep. In exchange, can I trust that you would aid me should I call on you for support?"

"You can count on me, Your Highness." Aedan nodded before turning to the Mage Champion "Marian?"

"Why not?" Marian shrugged before crossing her arms "It's better than starting from the ground up and working with less than savory individuals. I've already done that once. Believe me. It wasn't fun."

The trio continued to converse while ordering drinks. At some point, the conversation shifted from what they needed to do to telling stories about the other's world. What caught Alicia's interest were the Grey Wardens. An Order of warriors dedicated to fighting the Darkspawn. They didn't discriminate and took in just about anyone as long as they were useful against the Spawn. Humans, Elves, Dwarves. Even Outlaws, Criminals and Nobles. Taking them in with the Right of Conscription that allowed them to do so but something they rarely use unless necessary in fear of causing political backlash.

The three did well to avoid speaking about their respective faiths. Knowing that that particular subject always leads to shouting at best and killing at worst.

(Line Break)

Meanwhile, in the Royaume d'Ur, Lord Edward Blackmoore, son of Lord Henry Blackmoore, narrowed his eyes at the torn parchment in his hands. Edward was the youngest Spymaster in Ur's history. Being only 24 but his father's friend and former Spymaster for the King, Lord Geron, had taught him well and King Robert V took notice of this. He was so good at being a spy that he became the King's Spymaster at the age of 19.

Edward had long dark brown hair that was pulled in a low tail. He wore a black shirt underneath a brown greatcoat with two large belts around his waist. He had on a pair of dark brown trousers and a pair of grey leather boots. Underneath his shirt was a thin layer of armor. Enough to protect him against small blades and arrows but not direct hits from a sword.

"So I was right." He mumbled to himself "The King and Queen were handed to the bandits on a silver platter."

"Explain."

Edward lowered the parchment and looked over his shoulder as his father, Henry Blackmoore, entered his room. The Spymaster held up the parchment before handing them to his father.

Henry was a man in his mid-50s but still muscular as shown by the fact that the sleeves of his sand-colored greatcoat was hugging his obviously muscular arms. His greying hair slicked back and a thick moustache adorned his face. He wore a shining cuirass underneath his coat and pair of equally shining pauldrons. Sheathed on a scabbard on his belt was a cutlass with a thick blade and a shining golden guard.

"The bandits were given a time and place as well as the number of guards the King and Queen had." Edward answered "They were paid handsomely and were given armor and weapons befitting of the Homme de Armes. I suspect the Council has something to do with this. The Council and the Nobles under them. They have the coin and the motive to overthrow the King and Queen."

"Indeed. I had my suspicions in court but I couldn't share them with anyone else. Not even the ones loyal to House Fiorire. I fear someone might betray us. We need proof of their involvement. But this?" Henry held up the parchment "It isn't enough proof for the court and the people. No signature or anything that could incriminate them. They didn't leave any trace of their involvement. The bandits were hanged, their tongues cut off, and the equipment vanished."

"We have another problem, father."

Henry sighed "What is it?"

"News from the capital. Bad news."

"Tell me."

"A Noble, Giles Richis, was found hanged on the gates of the Lower District. A message telling the people in the slums to rise and take up arms against the Nobles of the court was pinned to Giles' chest. The ones responsible call themselves the Cult of Berith. They claim that Berith would give them the strength to free themselves from the oppression of the Nobility and end them all."

"A foolish endeavor." Henry scoffed "Do they not know how many Nobles are housed in the city? Nor the ones that hold their own baronies? The ones living outside of Ville de Fleurs? If they rebel, the Nobles would send out a call to arms and storm the city."

"I don't think they know that but desperation will drive these people to join the Cult. I've seen what has become of Ville de Fleurs, father. The Common Folk? They're dead and dying in the streets. Hunger and disease. It plagues the Lower District. If joining the Cult meant ending all this and going back to the way things were before the Council, then they wouldn't hesitate to join."

"A problem indeed." Henry rubbed his beard "The casualties would be too great and the people would die because they couldn't take living like this anymore. Something must be done before things escalate further."

"Yes, father."

"Lord Blackmoore?"

Henry and Edward turned to the door as Her Highness, Princess Prim Fiorire, opened the door to Edward's study. She peeked inside and the Lord of House Blackmoore's expression turned from grim to warm in an instant.

Prim was a young girl, barely a woman, at the age of 16. She had long, soft and silky pink hair that reached the small of her back even if it was braided and a pair of warm blue eyes. The Princess wore frilly white and pink dress with golden accents. Adorning her head was a golden tiara. Not the crown of the ruling monarch seeing as it was safely locked inside the Château de Fleurs.

"Ah. Your Highness." Henry bowed his head "Is there something the matter?"

"Has Alicia written back yet?"

The Lord of House Blackmoore smiled sadly at the young pinkette and walked over to her before placing his hand on her back and leading her out the door.

"I'm afraid not, Your Highness. I believe she's busy with patrolling her borders. Word has reached our ears that the Princess Knight of Iris often joins the Iris Knights on patrolling Feoh's borders."

"Oh."

Prim looked downcast and Henry patted her back gently.

"Don't worry, Your Highness. Tomorrow, we will leave for Feoh. Now. It's getting late. You might want to rest now so we can leave early in the morning."

That brought a smile to the young girl's face before entering her room and bidding Henry 'goodnight'. He returned the gesture before turning around to see his son leaning on the wall with his arms crossed.

"You plan on taking her to Feoh?"

"Indeed, son. It's not safe for her here. Not with this cult prowling about."

"I understand, father." Edward nodded "She will be safe under Princess Knight Alicia's care. But... she's not Isabelle."

"I know."

Henry turned away and looked outside the window.

"But I promised Robert that I will look after her if anything happened to them. I will keep that promise."

"But you can't replace your daughter, my sister, with the Princess. You know this."

Edward moved to stand beside Henry and the two stared out into the field. Memories of a young and innocent girl surfaced in the front of their minds. Playing in that very field with her family. How she was taken from them at such a young age. How Edward's mother and Henry's wife, Joan, cried herself to sleep every night and muttered Philippa's name in her sleep. How Henry became a shell of the man he once was and Edward was left to pick up the pieces until his father returned somewhat like his former self.

"I know, son. I know."

(Line Break)

Just outside the capital of the Königreich Geofu, Stadt der Morgen, was the headquarters of the Order of Knights of the Divine Temple, the Festung der Wachsamkeit. Inside the fourth level of the fortress, the Grand Mistress of the Divine Templars was staring wide-eyed at the letter sent to her by her husband, Klaus von Levantaine, who was in the Levantaine Estate to visit his father, the Hero of Geofu and Claudia's mentor and father figure, Grave von Levantaine.

From his letter, Klaus informed her that Grave had been locking himself in his study for the entire day. Whenever he passed by the room, he would hear Grave shouting or talking to someone but when Klaus entered the room to check. No one was there and Grave was quick to force him out of the roon. Her husband, despite Grave's lack of respect for him because he chose to be a scholar rather than a warrior, was worried that the his father might be going senile. He wanted to inform Claudia first and wanted her input before they decided whether to leave Grave be in care of the servants or send him to the church where he can live out the remainder of his life.

Claudia didn't know what to do. Both options would have them leaving Grave into someone else's care. In all her life, she didn't even think that something like this would happen. In her mind, Grave was invincible. Infallible. The only death she saw him accepting was a warrior's death. Nothing else. After reading Klaus' letter, reality hit her hard. Even Heroes, no matter how great they were, are still mortals.

The Großherrin of the Dawn Templars sighed and set the letter down then picked up a parchment and quill before she started writing her answer back to Klaus. The church would provide for him. The reason for this was more personal to Claudia. She couldn't bear to see the great Grave von Levantaine in this state.

Just as she finished, someone knocked on her door and Claudia told them to enter while rolling the parchment and tied it with a small ribbon.

The door opened and the Großmarschall of the Reichsheer, Gottfried von Werth, entered her quarters.

"Großherrin."

Gottfried saluted and Claudia nodded before the older Großmarschall lowered his hand.

"What is it, Gottfried?"

"They're waiting for you in the courtyard, Großherrin."

"Thank you, Gottfried."

Claudia stood up and placed the letter inside her drawer before making her way out of her room. The Großmarschall standing aside to let her through the door before following after her.

The two made their way out of the fortress' keep, passing by a number of Dawn Templars along the way before entering the courtyard where hundreds of armored men and women, all wearing a variety of different armors, were standing outside and looking at the Großherrin. These men and women belonged to the different Knightly Orders all over the Königreich. Handpicked by their respective Großmeister to serve as Dawn Templars. Some, like the Swords of Sturmland who only had 20 Knights, including their Großmeister, were absorbed entirely into the ranks of the Dawn Templars.

After the Battle of River Thane and the massive casualties each Kingdom sustained, the Dawn Templars, seeing their numbers have been halved, decided it was time to recruit more members for their order. They started by looking into the ranks of the Reichsheer then the nobility of Geofu. Even then, they barely replenished their original strength. The Großherrin and the Großbeitiger had carefully decided that it was time to accept the other Knights into the ranks of the Order of Knights of the Divine Temple who were the greatest of all Knightly Orders in the Königreich as well as the de facto government of the kingdom.

"Halbbrüder und Halbschwestern." Claudia began.

The gathered Knights silenced themselves and listened intently to the Großherrin. She called them Half-brothers and Half-sisters as these Knights have yet to take their vow of service to become Dawn Templars.

"You all know why you're here. After the retreat of the Kingdoms from the Frontier Lands, we have lost thousands of Ritter Schwestern. Though it has been three years since the Battle of River Thane, the Reichsheer has returned to it's full strength but the Dawn Templars have not. As Großherrin und Beschützer der Reich, I asked for the brave and noble Knights of Geofu to step forward to join the ranks of the Dawn Templars. Many of you have answered the call and for that, you have my thanks. Though you are not Dawn Templars yet, someday you will be. But today? Today you will be Halbbrüder und Halbschwestern of the Order. Kneel."

Claudia looked at each and everyone of them as they dropped to one knee and bowed their head.

"Do you profess and promise to the Goddess of the Dawn, Eos, and to me, Großherrin of the Order, and my successors, according to the Rules and Regulations of the Order. And will you be obedient to me, and to my successors, even unto death?"

It started with a few but soon enough, every Knight swore an oath to the Dawn Templars. Claudia couldn't help but smile before telling them to rise.

"From this day forward, you are now Halbbrüder und Halbschwestern of the Order of Knights of the Divine Temple. I welcome you. All of you."

Claudia turned and left before approaching the Großkomtur, Brigitta, who was standing next to the Ordenmarschall, Carolin, and the Großmarschall.

"Have them changed into their new armor and hand them their weapons." The Großherrin ordered "Halberds, Crossbows, Spears and Pavise Shields, Swords or Maces and Heater Shields."

She then turned to Gottfried as Carolin left to do her task while the Brigitta left to address the new members of their ranks.

"Have the Reichsheer accepted our propsal?"

"Yes, Großherrin." The Großmarschall nodded "They offer regiments of Schwertkämpfer, Bogenschützen, Speerbrüder and Sariantbrüder."

"Good. The Order can't rely on Knights and Halbbrüder and Halbschwestern alone. It is good to know that we have the Reichsheer's support."

Gottfried straightened and placed a fist over his heart.

"Always, Großherrin."

(Line Break)

Aedan stared at his reflection on the vanity. His eyes glowing silver under the dim light of the room they paid for. The three didn't realize their conversation had taken hours and night fell by the time they were done. Rather than brave the night, Alicia decided to pay for temporary lodgings inside the inn. The Innkeeper eagerly obliged. It would make a great advertisement for passing travelers and other people. Let the Kongeriget know that his inn served the Princess Knight and the Knights of Iris.

The Grey Warden had removed his armor and was left wearing the loose trousers he wore with his armor but forgone the poleyn, greaves and was barefoot. His Warden's Oath hanging around his neck along with the amulet, Reflection.

The Grey Warden stroked his beard then ran his fingers to the side where it connected to his sideburns. Should he shave? Maybe a trim? He liked the beard. His father had a beard. Fergus has a beard. Duncan had a beard. What can he say? He liked beards. Even Leonie said she liked the beard and the Orlesian Warden had HIGH standards about everything.

Deciding to leave the beard for now and trim it on a later date, Aedan walked over the bed. His armor leaning on the wall beside the bed while Ageless was leaning on the bedpost next to where his head would be. It would make it easier for him to take the weapon in case someone decided to break in the room. Not that anyone would but he couldn't be too careful.

There was a bump on the door, followed by several scratches. Aedan raised a brow and wondered if anyone in the inn lost their dog or a pet. He made his way over to the door and opened it before looking down to see a small creature with white fur and a pair of horns stubby, perked up, horns as well as an equally stubby set of legs. The little ball of fluff stuck it's tongue out before jumping up to Aedan and the Grey Warden caught it in his arms before it proceeded to lick him like a little mabari pup.

Aedan chuckled before pulling the small creature away and ruffled it's head? It looked like it's head is it's entire body. Nevertheless, the cute little rascal was excitable. Letting out tiny sounds and whines while reaching out with it's tiny little paws.

"There you are!"

Aedan looked down the hall and saw an elderly man walking towards him. A shepherd judging by his staff.

"I see he found a new friend. I'm sorry if he bothered you, good sir."

"It's no trouble at all. What is he exactly?"

The Grey Warden handed the fluffy little creature back to the old man who gently took the creature before answering.

"Why he is a Poro. Equal parts truth, valor, and innocence."

"Valor?"

"Yes. I have seen a few brave Poros protecting their fellow Poros from wild beasts. Funny enough, most of them have moustaches. There is even one that's much larger than the rest and can wield a warhammer." The shepherd chuckled "It might sound farfetched but it is true. A mighty Poro. Again. I must apologize for disturbing you. But... "

The Poro jumped out of the shepherd's arms and fell to the ground. It bounced off the floor and landed on Aedan's head before making it's self comfortable there and took a nap. He was out like a light in a second.

"It seems he took a liking to you. He was always one of the more outgoing ones. Here."

The shepherd took out a large pouch before taking five cookies out and handed it to Aedan.

"These are Poro-Snax. Cute little furballs love them. Here's three for breakfast, lunch and dinner."

"Wait. You're just giving him away."

"Not really. I don't own him. I just came across him along the road and he followed my herd and I here. Now it seems he found a friend. Do take good care of him."

"Of course."

He accepted the biscuits before heading inside the room. He placed the Poro-Snax on the small table before placing the Poro on the foot of the bed.

Aedan chuckled as the Poro rolled to it's back and began snoring as it's tongue lolled out of it's mouth. A bubble coming out of it's nose with each breath. Threatening to pop. The Grey Warden shook his head at the adorable little creature before laying down on the mattress. He didn't sleep yet though.

The Grey Warden made sure his surroundings were safe before closing his eyes and allowed himself to sleep. Let his dreams take him away. Unfortunately, even after years of fighting Darkspawn, he still have dreams about them. Overrunning the world, killing all his friends and family. He blocked it out for most of the time and mostly slept a dreamless sleep. Better than reliving the same nightmare again and again everyday.

(Line Break)

Alicia yawned as she sat up from her bed before rubbing the remainders of sleep from her eyes. The Princess Knight removed herself from her bed and made her way over to the vanity. She looked at herself in the mirror and reached into the water basin in front of the vanity before splashing some water on her face. She grabbed a towel next to the basin and wiped her face dry before throwing the towel on the bed and made her way over to her armor.

Once she was dressed, the Princess Knight stepped out of her room. She knocked on Aedan's door which was directly across from hers. She thought they would get breakfast first then head to the capital city of Kongeriget Feoh, Ravnstad. She'll give them a tour of the city before showing them where they'll be staying in Castle Arcturus.

Alicia heard the door open and opened her mouth to speak but not a word passed her open mouth as she was mesmerized by the Grey Warden's muscular chest and abdomen. She realized the man was only wearing a pair of trousers and nothing else. She would've ogled Aedan had it not been for the fact that her attention was focused on the numerous scars littering his body.

She had seen her father and the Jarls when training shirtless. They had a few scars here and there but Aedan's took the cake. It made her wonder how this man was even alive. One of the wounds was, in fact, very close to where his heart is. So many scars and each of them held a story no doubt.

"Good Morning, Your Highness." Aedan spoke up. Snapping her out her of her musings "Is there something you need?"

"I-I..."

Alicia cleared her throat and composed herself. A little bit of pink dusting her cheeks.

"I wanted to say that you, Marian and I should get breakfast and leave as soon as possible. Get a headstart for our ride to Ravnstad."

"Of course. Just let me get dressed."

When the Grey Warden turned around, Alicia's eyes widened as she was greeted by the sight of more scars all over Aedan's back.

'How are you still alive!?'

But then her eyes gazed a little lower and her face heated up.

'Wow. Those pants are really tight around the but- Wait. What in the Halls of Hel am I thinking!?'

This was not how a Princess Knight should act or think! What would the others think if they saw her ogling someone's backside?

Shaking her head, Alicia snapped herself out of her stupor and walked over to the room next to Aedan's before knocking on the door. She received no answer and knocked once more yet still no one answered. Crossing her arms and tapping her foot impatiently on the floor. Alicia knocked more incessantly and this time the door was roughly pulled open to reveal one disheveled and frustrated looking Mage Champion.

Alicia opened her mouth to speak but stopped when she saw that said Mage Champion was wearing nothing. Bare for the Princess Knight to see whose eyes went down from the woman's face to her chest before going lower. Alicia's face turned red as a tomato before her eyes shot back up at Marian's face.

"What do you want?" The Mage Champion groaned.

"W-We were planning to get some breastfas- I mean, breakfast! So we can hairy- I mean, hurry! Hurry on to R-Ravnstad."

Marian simply gave the Princess Knight a deadpan look before slamming the door to her face.

Alicia blinked before slapping herself on the forehead. Her face still red with embarrassment.

'Oh my- What in the Halls of Hel was that, Alicia!?'

She smacked herself on the forehead a couple more times before making her way down to the inn's bar and ordered a breakfast of pork sausage.

The rest of the Knights of Iris that helped drive off the Feral Orcs had left to return to their patrol duties and the two Knights of Iris that accompanied her as personal guards, Knight-Captain Fiona and her successor, Knight-Lieutenant Miriam, were wondering why the Princess Knight was red-faced.

Moments later, Aedan and Marian arrived and took a seat adjacent to the Princess Knight. The Mage Champion was in a much better mood now that she was awake and the Grey Warden was playing with a Poro in his hands. Tickling it before holding a Poro-Snax over it's head.

"Sit. No. Sit. Sit, boy."

The Poro let out a whine but obliged before letting out it's tongue.

"Good boy."

Aedan lowered the Poro-Snax and the fluffy little creature jumped and chomped it's jaws on the Poro-Snax.

"Uh, Aedan. Care to introduce us to your furry little friend here?"

The Poro, after swallowing the biscuit, perked up upon being mentioned by Marian before jumping on the Mage Champion's head and flopped down. A few seconds later, the Poro started snoring and Marian snorted.

"Lazy little fellow, isn't he?"

"Yes. Yes he is." Aedan chuckled.

"Poros are rare sight in these parts." Alicia began "They're usually found in the northwest of Eostia. How'd you get one?"

"A shepherd passed by the inn last night and this little fellow happened upon my door. He took a liking to me, or maybe my head, and the shepherd was kind enough to give me three Poro-Snax and asked me to take good care of him. And now we're here."

Minutes later, their breakfast arrived and the three ate in silence. Once they were done, the three left and the two Knights of Iris brought them their mounts as well as the newly purchased ones for Aedan and Marian which came with a saddle and everything.

Aedan thanked the Princess Knight while Marian hopped on the saddle of her chosen mount before trying to remember how to ride a horse. She hadn't ridden a horse since Ferelden and that was years ago.

Thankfully, Aedan helped her remember before the group left the inn and made their way to the capital city of Ravnstad. Aedan and Marian were wondering what the city had to offer while Alicia was thinking of what she should write to Prim. She was supposed to write back yesterday but she had her focus elsewhere. Hopefully, her cousin wasn't too mad.

(Line Break)

It took them a day to reach Falkstad and when they did, Aedan was impressed. The walls of Ravnstad were massive and the blue and gold banners of the Kongeriget Feoh can be seen flying from the battlements. The walls were aptly named the Wall of Sigmundr. If what Alicia said was true, then construction of the walls began during the reign of the First King of Feoh, Sigmundr the Conqueror, who was 50 at the time, and continued for 30 years. Due to materials and technology at the time as well as the constant Beast Men raids and redesigns, the wall took longer than expected to the point that the First King of Feoh died of old age before it was finished.

In addition to it's towering height and battlements, multple balconies were set up on the side of the wall where a ballista or a mangonel was set up per balcony. There were also covered balconies with arrow slits for the Archers and Arbøst Landeværn to shoot arrows and crossbow bolts through. Inside the walls were the City Guard who were trained to police and defend the city from invaders.

The City Guard wore hauberks underneath blue and red surcoats along with a barbute helm with a T-shaped opening, a set of iron spaulders, iron vambraces, iron poleyn and iron greaves. They wielded spontoons and kite shields.

The doors were as tall as a two-storey building and stood behind an iron portcullis which was raised as the Princess Knight, who was on the front of the group, approached the Grand Doors of Erik, named after the Second King of Feoh, Erik Sigmundrsen. Said doors were pulled open by the Gate Guards who bowed when Alicia passed them by. As soon as they stepped inside the city, Aedan and Marian were in awe at the sight that met them.

Brick roads, pavements and street lamps. Buildinga of wood and stone stood two to three storeys tall. Maybe even four storey tall. There were many shops ranging from Bakeries to Potions to Weapons and Armor Shops while signs nailed above the doors told them what type of building they were. Most of the people they passed by bowed their heads to the Princess Knight while the Statheværn Patrols greeted them vocally and bowed their heads as well.

"This is Cenric's Square. Named after the 24th King of Feoh, Cenric the Brave who defended this very spot from a Beast Men horde that ravaged the city."

The Princess Knight pointed to the statue in the middle of the square where a man in armor stood triumphantly over the corpse of a number of Beast Men. His sword, which was also Angurvadal, raised high in the air while his other hand held an axe.

They left Cenric's Square and Alicia soon took them to the Residential District where many of the city's resident reside. There was nothing much to see so they moved on to the neighboring district which was the Military District.

All the districts of Ravnstad were separated by walls, though not as tall as the Wall of Sigmundr, with City Guardsmen patrolling the battlements. But the walls of the Military District were slightly larger and more heavily guarded. They saw the soldiers of Feoh inside performing drills and practicing against dummies.

Feoh's army wasn't quite back to their full strength yet. They were still recruiting and training, even conscripting men and women from the City Guard and calling them Landeværn. Skjold Spears training to perfect their mastery over the Skjold and Spyd while the elite Stormænd and Huskarle were training regiments of Landeværn. These were just a few examples. Many more soldiers were out there in the kingdom and Alicia would call on them when the time is right.

Within the Military District was a statue of Æthelthryth the Great. The First Knight of Iris or rather THE Knight of Iris. As Aedan and Marian looked at the statue, they noticed that Alicia's attire was more or less the same as Æthelthryth's but more 'armored' in a way. Æthelthryth's armor looked like if you remove the spaulders and skirt and leave only the chestpiece and underwear. Actually, it looks more like what the Knights of Iris wear. Barely anything.

After meeting Knight-Commander Vivian, the group made their way to Castle Arcturus. Like the rest of the city, the castle was surrounded by a wall. The wall, called the Wall of Callum, named after Callum Arcturus I, 43rd King of Feoh and Alicia's great, great, great, great, great grandfather. Making Alicia as the 50th Monarch of Feoh.

The Doors of Elionoir, named after Queen Elionoir Arcturus III, were pulled open and Alicia led the others to the stables before a couple of stable boys took their horses and placed them in the stable while the Princess Knight made her way over to the front entrance of Alister's Keep, named after King Alister Arcturus IV.

Castle Arcturus was by far the largest building in Ravnstad which includes Alister's Keep, the Towers of Vígi and the House of the All-Father where an altar of the chief God of the Great Tribes, Odin, resides. Across from the House was the Altar of Eos. Both of which Alicia visited and prayed to before continuing on to give Aedan and Marian a tour of Alister's Keep. They entered the keep and were led to their floor where the Guest Rooms can be found.

Aedan and Marian were given separate rooms before Alicia told them that she will be hosting a dinner and suggested they familiarize with the castle. This was going to be their home and base of operations.

Not a single one of them noticed the twin ravens watching them through a window before leaving.


AN: Ur just became a mix of Medieval France and England with a hint of Italy and it's making my head spin while Feoh is based on Medieval Denmark, Anglo-Saxon and generic fantasy crap. I'm pretty sure it's obvious what Geofu is based on. Also, most soldier unit names and likeness are taken from Total War Medieval 1212, Medieval 2 Total War and Medieval 2 Total War: Kingdoms.