A/N: Just like I promised! But since I'm posting so quickly, you have to review!

Chapter Fourteen

            The next day, Jerrold wrote to Ayorthia calling for the troops. He thought that Orlando's betrayal was the sign he was waiting for. He also sent a messenger into Jenn to announce our declaration of war for King Ludwig and Queen Drusilla.

            The Ayorthaian troops arrived three days later, dressed in their clean cut green and gold tunics. Some marched on foot, others rode horses, but they were all armed with swords. They were lead by Commander Kareem, a stout, loud man with a mustache that curled up at the ends. Occasionally, Jerrold would stand behind him and hold is finger under his nose and move his mouth, imitating Kareem as he talked.

            That night, we all met in the circular hall. Commander Kareem spoke. "Troops, Kyrrians, tonight is the first and last night we will be together before we begin to battle. We will not fail. You're prepared. We will defeat these men and begin a new Kyrria!" he shouted.

            Everyone erupted in cheers. I clapped too, rather amused. It wasn't a wonderful speech, but the passion was there. It was somewhat ironic though- Kareem wasn't even Kyrrian. I glanced at Jerrold, who seemed to be sharing my thoughts. He looked at he and wiggled his finger under his nose. I started to laugh, but stopped when I heard my voice echo through the hall. Everyone looked at me peculiarly, wondering why I'd challenged the silence with my laugh. I flushed red. But then Jerrold stood up, and divert their eyes away from me.

            "Men, boys, Daria," he said, pointing out that I was the only female, "welcome to White Blossom Mountain, and our fortress. I'd like to thank Commander Kareem for that, um, inspiring speech.

            "Tomorrow is to be a hard day. It'll be long and tiresome. We're here to prove something, and we can not fail, even if we do. No matter what, we will free Kyrria of this evil. I thank you for devoting yourselves to this cause. You will receive yours in time."

            Everyone cheered and clapped, and then moved into the dining hall in high spirits. As I walked in, Jerrold caught my arm and pulled me aside.

            "Eat quickly," he whispered. "I wish to show you something."

            I raised my eyebrow. "What?" I asked.

            "Shhh!" replied Jerrold. "After dinner."

            We walked to dinner together and ate quickly. As I ate, I realized that the boys kept finding better food everyday. Tonight we had salted pork with apple glaze, mushrooms, potatoes, and cider. They even made a large pan cake (A/N: not a pancake) for dessert, dribbled in butterscotch sauce.

            After our wonderful meal, Jerrold and I excused ourselves and left the hall. Outside the hall, Jerrold grabbed my hand and pulled me through the fortress's crude corridors, until we reached a cave-room with a single torch lighting the area. He sat me on a rock -or was it a chair?- and grabbed the torch, holding it close to his face, creating eerie shadows around the cave-room.

            "Daria," he said in a creepy voice, "do you know the story of Delilah of Jerryia?"

            I laughed. "Of course!" I cried. "Everyone in Kyrria knows-"

            "Daria!" Jerrold said in desperation. "You're ruining it!"

            I laughed, but turned it into a quick cough. "Okay," I said, trying to be serious. "Tell me the story of Delilah of Jerryia."

            "Well, Delilah was a simple courtier, until she lead a revolution against the king and queen of Jerryia. She killed the king with a magic arrow and became queen of Kyrria," Jerrold explained.

            "Wow," I said, playing along.

            Jerrold nodded. "I know. Today, I made a very important discovery in this cave," he said.

            "What?" I asked, now curious.

            Jerrold pushed a quiver full of arrows into my hands. "Is this…" I asked, speechless.

            "Yes," he whispered. "I know you're not going to battle, but they're for you. To keep you safe."

            I stared at the quiver full of arrows and the bow. The quiver was made of a hollowed piece of dark wood, wrapped in a gray fabric embroidered with a D and a J. The arrows were made of the same dark wood, with silver points and green feathered tails. The bow was also made of dark wood, and painted with green symbols and a thin, silver string.

            "DJ… Delilah of Jerriya," I thought out loud.

            Jerrold nodded. "Or Daria of Jenn?" he suggested. "The symbols on the bow are Elfin. They say 'the forgotten daughter DJ will rise to the side of the King.'"

            I dropped the bow. "The king? I'd never ally myself with him!" I cried defiantly.

            Jerrold laughed. "It doesn't specify what king," he reminded me.

            "Oh, yes, I guess you're right," I said, picking up the bow. "What is this string made of?"

            "Unicorn tail," Jerrold replied. "And the arrows magically replenish themselves."

            I smiled. "Thank you Jerrold," I said, wrapping my arms around his neck.

            "You're welcome," he replied, placing his hands delicately on my waist.

            My stomach leaped.

            That night, I sat on my bed while everyone slept. I ran my fingers gracefully over the arrows. Was this prophecy about me? Was I to rise to the side of the king? What king?

A/N: Okay, there you go. Another fluffy, somewhat unimportant chapter. The next few are good though, I promise. Please humor me and review. I'd love the praise. I'd love constructive criticism. I'd love to hear your favorite color. ANYTHING!!