Danielle's heart beat wildly as she approached Henry. Her mind going to the various times they had spent alone but she had to remember he was the Crown Prince. The last time they had seen each other it had been at the ball. Henry had listened to her stepmother's lies and caste her aside. She had been lucky to get back home safely and then was hauled away from her only home. Danielle straightening her shoulders and looked him directly in the eye. She paid her respects but quickly move towards the men who had been assigned to escort them to the Kingdom of Rosnina.
"My lady" one of the knights addressed her. The men had been informed by Leonardo that a young woman would be joining them. They thought she must be a woman of title by the way she spoke and held herself. By the way the Crown Prince of France was looking at her they wondered about her true identity.
"I am Danielle de Barbarce and pray what are your names?" she asked while observing the men before her. They were tall, broad, muscular and clearly men of war. There was a power about them which had been lacking with the Prince who was uncertain about his role. These men left little doubt about their capabilities and she looked forward to getting to know them.
The largest of the four knights answering her question.
"Well, Danielle de Barbarce! I am Robert, this man to my left is Bruce and the two man to my right is Alexander and Abel. We are knights in service to the King of Rosinia and have been tasked to protect your party. We have been away for Rosinia for a long time and looking forward to returning to our homeland"
"Well, Robert, Bruce, Alexander and Abel! It is a pleasure to meet you all" she smiled.
Danielle excusing herself and checked on Susan who was asleep in the covered wagon. Leonardo had told her little Susan was from 'Rosinia' and was being returned to her parents. She returned to the knights who asked about Susan and made Danielle wonder about the importance of this little girl to the people of Rosinia.
They were ready to begin their journey and turned with impatience to observe Leonardo still speaking with the Crown Prince. The area of forest they were covering today was known to be full of bandits and they wanted to avoid sleeping out in the open. Robert directing his men to station themselves around the caravan as a tactics to hurry up the old man. He turned to Danielle who was waiting alongside him at the front.
"So Danielle… do you think you are going to handle days of travel and sleeping in the open" Robert challenging her. There were many types of women but rarely those who were independent. His eyes opened wide when she showed him her knife and couldn't help but grin when he realised, she was not riding side saddle.
"Robert! I can look after myself and plan to contribute to our group. I would like to improve my fighting skills and will be asking for some instruction" Danielle spoke honestly.
"Very well… we can also use another fighting man!" he laughed as he had never had such a conversation with a woman. It was going to be an interesting trip!
Finally, Leonardo was on his wagon and Robert put his horse into a trot to start moving the caravan forward. Robert had not been home for 5 years and felt the call for his homeland. He looked at the young women beside him and wonder why she was leaving her home.
It was bittersweet for Danielle as they travelled through her homeland. She would conquer her broken heart and maybe find love again but on her terms. Danielle shed a few tears but quickly wiped them away as she wanted to show the knights, she was strong and could be depended on.
They had travelled for a number of days and had not come across any problems. Tonight, they would have to sleep in the open. Bruce had found a cave for shelter and Danielle quickly collected kindle for a fire. When she returned, she received a lecture from Robert who reminded her not to go alone. Danielle reminding him she had her knife and showed she had captured dinner for them. She was proving to be an excellent hunter and the men appreciated her contribution.
"You promised you would teach me to fight?" Danielle reminding Robert. Susan had gone to bed and everyone else was sitting around the fire.
"The Blade?" Bruce asked and pulled out his own fighting sword. It weighed a tonne and Danielle had to concentrate to pick it up. Alexander going to his own horse and presented Danielle with a smaller blade that young squires used when learning to fight. Danielle thanking him and stood up with the sword in her hand. They showed her how to properly hold it and provided her with exercises which she happily repeated. She patiently listened to the men who interrupted her concentration by commenting about her technique. She was determined and wouldn't let them distract her from improving… earning the respect of the men in the group.
"Very different to the women we normally have to protect" Bruce observed
"Yes… I have never met such a determined woman" honestly spoke Robert.