"Can you believe this, Elizabeth?" Sydney demanded once the two young girls were back in the privacy of Sydney's bedchamber. "Father always promised I would marry for love, like he did with Mother. This is completely unfair, is it not?"

"Princess, of course the agreement you have been forced to make is unfair. But you love Marin and the people of it and you know by complying to Gruumm's command that you have saved thousands of innocent lives."

The princess graced her friend with a tiny smile. "You do know how to keep things in perspective, don't you, Elizabeth? Well, I suppose when all is said and done my future role of Empress can't be too dreadful, can it?"

"Of course not, Sydney," Elizabeth assured. "Think of the lands you'll have to ride that beautiful mare of yours in and the fancy balls and festivals you'll get to plan and meeting all the members of the Troobian court. I'll be there, and so will that amusing Bridge and it's not as though you'll be locked in a tower. Surely you and your husband will visit Marin and vice versa."

Soothed, the princess released her bouncy golden curls from the comb of forget-me-nots and took her shoes of softest leather, pale pink in color. "But Elizabeth," Sydney said softly. "My heart has already been seized by that dashing-"

"Not another word," Elizabeth commanded. "And please, I've asked that you call me Z. It is so unique among all the other faceless Elizabeths of Marin."

"Very well then, my name is Syd. Sydney was my grandmother. Am I not my own person as well?"

Elizabeth's red lips curled up into a half smile. "Indeed you are, Syd. I've no doubt you'll bring that style along with us to Troobia."

Syd sighed and ran her fingers through her platinum hair. "It is so ironic that the one who holds my heart and yet has no idea he does so is to be accompanying us on our journey to Troobia, is it not? It shall be so hard to bid my family and country goodbye, but Eli -Z - I do not know if I can possibly say the same to him."

Elizabeth crossed to Sydney's wardrobe and pulled out a few of the more elaborate of the dresses as long as a few more pairs of shoes. "Let us focus on something else, Syd. Like the dress you shall wear for your wedding ceremony. Do not act as though you have not dreamed of your wedding day since you were still small enough to sit on the king's lap."

The princess wandered to the window of her tower bedchamber. The window was simply comprised of a space between the stones with enough space for both girls to sit comfortably and talk of the future. It had been their favorite place to spend time since both were twelve years old. Elizabeth had been very lonely when she first became Sydney's attendant, due to the death of her parents immediately prior to her relocation. But the charming princess had easily broken through the tough shell of the yellow clad girl, and the two were fast friends. Elizabeth had always known who had held the princess' heart, and knew that it truly ripped her into pieces that she had to leave him.

From the fields thousands of feet below the castle's tower, the Knights of the House of Grayson were practicing for the upcoming joust, to be held in two months' time. It was a great source of bragging rights and honor to defeat one's opponent in Marin's jousts, for the knights were revered all over the continent.

The most prominent of the Knights of the House of Grayson, Sir Cruger aside, was Sir Sky of Silverhill. The only son of Lord Wesley and Lady Jennifer, Sky had trained to be a knight since he was ten years old. Though to follow in his now retired father's footsteps had always been Sky's main goal in life, secretly he hoped that he might impress the fair princess of Marin, which was why he worked far harder than any of the others, training every spare minute he could. Now that he'd been given a squire of his own, Jack was learning the same work ethic. Sir Sky suspected the younger man resented him for it.

No matter, really, Sky's distant, determined ways earned him the dislike of many. But it was all worth it, wasn't it, if Princess Sydney would look upon him just once and smile.

"Sir," Jack called, jogging over to where Sky had been practicing his skill with a sword, "I've just seen Sir Cruger. He needs to see you, it's urgent. The princess needs you."

Sir Sky was very aware that his heart skipped a few beats. "The princess," he repeated doubtfully. "Are you sure, Jack?"

Jack's head bobbed up and down. "Quite, sir."

Sir Sky sheathed his sword and removed his chain mail tunic. "Well, then I shall see you later, Jack."

"I'm supposed to come with you. There's some sort of quest we're to accompany the princess and her lady-in-waiting on and we're to get the information together."

"Then hurry it up, if the princess needs us we cannot keep her Highness waiting."

Jack allowed himself a smirk at his mentor's back. Whenever the princess was mentioned to Sir Sky he was a completely different person.

In the small dank room that served as Sir Cruger's office, three figures were hunched over the round wooden table. Sky recognized them to be Cruger, his father Lord Wesley, and King Carter himself.

The three turned to look upon the intruders. "My son," Lord Wesley greeted. "How do you fare this afternoon?"

"I fare quite well, Father," Sky replied. King Carter nodded at him. "Your Highness," he continued. "My squire told me that there is a mission to be completed by us two. Anything you desire, just name it."

"Your willingness and determination are admirable," the king praised. "Much like your mother and father in that respect. Sir, I must ask a favor of you. Not an hour ago we received word from Troobia containing grave news."

The knight's face darkened. "I will always fight for Marin, Sire, rest assured."

"How I wish it was a war I needed you to fight. The Troobian Empire is far more powerful than our own, I regret to admit. Gruumm has demanded my dearest daughter's hand in marriage in exchange for Marin's well-being. And I am afraid I have to send her off to wed him."

Sir Sky's heart leapt into his throat. "I understand," he managed after a moment.

"It is the king's request that you and your squire Jack escort she, Lady Elizabeth, and the Court Jester Bridge to Troobia for her wedding. Will you do this, Sky?" Cruger finished.

Sky found himself nodding. "As you command, Sire," he informed King Carter. "Is that all my service is required for?"

"Keep her safe, my son," Wesley advised quietly.

Sir Sky and Jack nodded their heads simultaneously. They bowed to the higher-ranking citizens in the room and exited. Jack's face was noticeably aglow with excitement.

"My first quest!" he cackled triumphantly. "Just the five of us, on our own in the woods, fighting off bandits and wolves and telling ghost stories around the campfire. It's sure to be a memorable tale, eh, Sir?"

Sky was vaguely aware of muttering some answer, but his heart wasn't into it. The princess was giving her hand to another; now he truly did have no chance.

It was going to be a tedious journey.