A/N: The momentum is building. I will try to not take too long between chapters from this point on but I really want to make each one really good.

Sorry for this being so short but I wanted to give you guys something to hold you over.

Daylight was breaking across Reinhart but no birds sang nor did the wind blow a leaf. The kingdom was at a standstill, as if nature was aware of the misery that lay ahead. King Helmond made a formal announcement with the castle stewards and townspeople. Everyone now knew about the surprise attack on the castle the night before and the seizure of Princess Jadelyn.

"If Rosym does not relinquish our beloved princess alive and unharmed;" he warned bringing his speech to a close. "It will be a dark day for them indeed."

"Your Highness," Beckett stood up. "I would like to offer my services to the cause."

"Beckett," the king said. "Will you lead the company?"

"It would be my honor, My Lord. I had better make haste; make sure preparations are made. I plan to depart immediately."

"Very good," the king nodded. "Assemble your men."

Beckett nodded in return as he walked his horse away.

All of the blacksmiths were given their instructions to swiftly hammer out swords and armor. They worked feverishly to produce weaponry in record time for the royal army. Any man or woman who specialized in food prepared bread and other baked goods, long with bags of fruits and vegetables to keep the soldiers' energy up. The team of horses were brushed, fed and checked for any health problems.

There was only one person that couldn't be found. She was contributing to the war effort like everyone else but in a different capacity.

Inside one of the blacksmith's shops, the heavy hammer came down hard on the anvil, shaping the sharp swords. When nothing was banging incessantly, the hot metal was dipped into the water making an audible hissing sound. With all the cacophony and so much to do, the burly manipulator of metal did not notice the brown-haired woman sneaking into his shop.

Victoria eyed a scrap heap in the back of the shop. It was a mishmash of unmatched or misshaped pieces. She rummaged through the metal until finding the necessary parts for a proper suit of armor. Victoria amassed a mental inventory as she filled her sack. The blacksmith stopped working at the very second Victoria started to make her break for it. The mountainous laborer picked up his large hammer and walked to the back to investigate. He swiftly pulls back the brown curtain and sees his scrap heap and nothing else. He shrugged thinking it probably just fell over on its own.

Meanwhile, a brown-haired young woman is running with forty plus pounds of metal in a bag on her back. Finding refuge at the foot of a hill near the castle, Victoria looked around to make sure she was alone and then she began to unload her sack. She bit her lip as she gazed at her somewhat shiny if not woefully inconsistent armor. Victoria took a deep breath, thinking about how Jadelyn could be who knows where. She might even be getting tortured for all she knew. That image alone strengthened her resolve.

What she was doing was completely crazy and impulsive (in spite of the foresight to gather supplies) but that didn't matter to her. Even though she would be Beckett's and not hers, Victoria didn't care in the slightest. All she wanted to do was to make sure that Jadelyn was returned safely. If her life had any purpose, it was this.

Once fully dressed in her sparkling grey finery; Victoria began to move. It was exceedingly difficult. The simple act of walking carried with it a host of challenges. She felt a general heaviness with every step; indeed this metal on her body added a tidy sum to her weight. After several minutes struggling, Victoria started to get used to taking rather conservative steps. Walking toward the castle, she practiced her arm movements.

She felt a twinge of fear for the very first time since deciding to ride forth, joining the fray. Victoria was apprehensive for how well she would move in battle. She made a mental note to stay on her horse as much as possible because her hand to hand was now extremely limiting. The rest of the men in King Helmond's army had hours of practice whilst wearing their suits of armor, making them feel less constricted and stiff. Victoria, sadly, was only learning and training in secret. She had to be ready to discard the sword or bow at a moment's notice. Now she was forced to get used to everything all at once.

At the very least, this cobbled-together armor could've been worse. Victoria could have looked like Don Quixote of La Mancha but that was not the case.

As she made it to the castle grounds, she acquired Johan as her horse. Fortunately, he was a horse utilized by the royal family and had no assignment. Victoria felt a little more at ease with the fact that at least her steed was familiar. Mounting the horse in her new attire was a different matter. Fifteen minutes and several crates later, Victoria was on horse back and ready to join with her fellow brethren.

The armor almost completely covered Victoria. No one would suspect her as a woman. She tied her hair so that it would be easily hidden by the helmet. If she had one gripe about her uniform, it was the very restrictive chest plate. It was Victoria's luck that the chest piece belonged presumably to a spectacularly scrawny young man.

When Victoria arrived, they were finishing counting their men. Finishing on her, they announced to Beckett that they had 75 men.

"Very well," he called out as he rode on his own horse around the rows of equestrian soldiers. "My friends, we have been dispatched by His Highness, King Helmond himself, to seek out and rescue our fair Princess Jadelyn. She had been taken in the night by murderous bandits sent by the kingdom of Rosym. Their actions have devastated the armistice and if they refuse to let our princess go, they risk open war!"

Respective cheers erupted from the eager young men. Victoria did not raise her hand with the others; she did not see this as a time to get excited. She would much rather there not be any conflict.

"Why did they do this to us?" Victoria asked herself. "What provoked this attack?"

"Remember men," Beckett continued. "We must stand together. Many of you have never set foot into those woods before. We have all heard tales on that forest. I have no idea what is really in there; could be nothing or it could very well be our worst nightmares come true. But what I do know is that this is the best Reinhart has to offer. Let us prove our mettle to your king."

Beckett rode forth, his men following him in two long lines. Victoria was in the rear of the procession.

"This is it" Victoria thought. "I swear I will find you Jadelyn and bring you home safe."

A tall, thin figure with a cloak kneels before a pond in the deep, dark forest. He places the tip of his finger into the cold water, causing ripples. Within moments the man's reflection melted away and turned into the sight of the army of Reinhart riding along.

"Perfect," he said. "They are coming this way."

A black raven landed on his shoulder and made an alarm call.

"Have they returned?"

The bird proceeded to make a clicking sound.

"Then we must hurry, Bartleby. Our fair maiden awaits."