The group had moved from one town to the next, making their way towards the grand forest that surrounded all the kingdoms. If what Koda said was true, then they needed to find this sorcerer in order to rescue Prince Tyler. And if it were true, how would they manage to reach the mountain to find him? It wasn't as if any of them could sprout wings and fly there.

At the end of the forest sat a small town called Frostbite, no one really understood why it was called that, Winter was as uncommon in this part of the kingdoms as rubies in farming soil. Sir Riley believed that this town would be suitable to rest the night and then in the morning, their journey could continue. They had found a lovely little inn in the center of the town to lodge. Hopefully they'd find a suitable place to fill their bellies as well, at least, that's what Sir Chase hoped.

"Come on," Chase said, "I saw the most lovely pub down the square."

"Chase," Riley said, "We don't have time for that. We need to come up with a strategy."

Shelby had used the gold she had brought with her to pay for their stay, Lady Morgan had insisted on her carrying at least a little coin for the journey, despite her trepidations. The Inn was cramp, and had hay in every corner of the place. Even the beds were lined with straw. It looked more like a barn than a place to lodge. Koda was sprawled across the floor, looking out through the window at the clouds, at least he didn't seem to mind.

"Riley is right," Shelby said, "We need to find a way to get to Dredd's castle. While we sit here, who knows how Prince Tyler is fairing?" Shelby hadn't forgotten her promise to Sir Ivan, Knight of the Rexar Kingdom, nor had she forgotten the look on his face when she found him hovelled and broken that day. A brave knight who had lost his prince, his sword cast away in the corner of a castle. Unable to move. Unable to fight. Shelby knew the honor that knight's possessed, and to them, the shame of losing their charge was a fate worse than death. The duty of a leader is to prevent suffering, is it not? And what kind of a leader would she be if she allowed a wrong to go uncorrected?

"Shelby!" Koda screamed and leapt from the window. "Fire!"

"What?" Shelby ran towards the far side of the room, and peered out into the sky. In the center of the square was a small house on fire, people screaming and running from the village center to the ends of the forest. They were terrified.

"What is going on out there?" Sir Chase asked.

"I don't know," Shelby said, "But I'm going to find out."


The town was in chaos. People screamed and ran and clutched their children tightly. When Shelby and the rest got to the town square the fires seemed to surround half the village.

"Run! They're coming! They're coming," screamed and elderly woman as she stormed past Shelby. The princess had never seen such terror before, and certainly not up close. But, that didn't mean she wasn't going to do everything she could to stop it.

"Your majesty," Chase said, "Look!"

There in the distance, walking in erratic chaos, with swords and crossbows held high, were the Vivix, foot soldiers for King Dredd. They stood terrifying and tall in their white armor, and soulless visors. They marched through cities and towns setting places ablaze. Rumors have it that King Dredd was searching for something, but no one could find out what. Even news of this devastation had reach Shelby's kingdom, but Lady Morgan always refused to interfere.

"We can't afford to make enemies, your majesty."

For too long Shelby, and her kingdom had sat by and allowed terror to inflict others. That's not what her parents had taught her. She was more than just a princess, she was a leader with a responsibility to others. And she was done allowing evil to flourish.

"Men," Shelby said, as she drew her sword, "This destruction ends now."

Koda drew his shield, Riley took hold of his sword, and so did Sir Chase.

"Knights, we shall defend this village!" Shelby said, and lead headfirst into the burning inferno that was the battlefield. Neither Sir Chase, or Sir Riley could have stopped her. Not Lady Morgan. Not even boulders from the sky. This was a fight…she would win.

The battle was furious. Sir Chase and Sir Riley took arms, and slewed foot soldier after foot solider, Koda used his shield to protect those from incoming arrows, and ushered the young and elderly to safer ground. But no one fought harder than Princess Shelby. In her youth, she practiced her swordsmanship, she dueled with the different knights of the kingdom, and learned. Lady Morgan always objected, but Shelby paid her no mind. A ruler must learn to fight for her people.

And Shelby did that willingly. She thrusted her sword, parried against attackers, caught glimpses of the scared villagers who escaped the burning wreckage, children searching for their families, destroyed lives that could never be whole again. She would not allow this to continue.

Not for the villagers. Not for Prince Tyler, or his knight Ivan, not for Koda, who had lost everyone he ever loved, and certainly not for anyone else. Shelby's armor became torn, her hair was pulled, her skin peeled from her bones like the rinds of an orange. But she pressed on. She had to, for all of their sakes.

And when the dust cleared, and the Vivix retreated, all that was left was a gleaming sword, and burning town, and a declaration.

"This village is under the protection of the Watkins crown," she yelled, "Come here at your peril!"

They probably did not hear her, but it did not matter. The promise was struck. And a queen's word is more valuable than emeralds.