Strategies through the woods

"The Valley of Death". 

As the young group convened in the middle of the clearing the Princess noticed that her Knight was a bit shaky more like he was anxious. She had a vague idea that it was related to his day life but she had never asked. Although he was by her side at all times, she never invaded his privacy, the same way he respected hers. Finally, as the discussion seemed to end the young Knight stepped towards the Princess and informed her that all of them had decided to rest for the night so that they could gather up their strengths as well as pack essentials for the next part of their strenuous journey. The Princess was happy that they had this night to get to know everyone and rest at the same time. It had been months since the last time Eques Noctis was able to find a suitable place where they could rest for a few days. Although the young knight refused to stay within the walls of safety opting to protect his Princess at all times. During the day when he could not be there to protect her, she would climb a tree and hide in between the branches with the leaves covering her scent and movements. But now that wouldn't be needed. Once the Young Knight vanished with the first rays of dawn, she could rely on her other Knights to protect her.

As the Young Knight led the Princess to the center of clearing, they heard Eques Lux say, "Since we know that Eques Noctis cannot be seen in daylight we have two options either wait for the darkness to encroach or move forward while I stay as a guardian to make sure the smooth journey of out frater while Eques Tempus keeps the Princess safe while he leads the journey."

"We would yet need to strategize the entire journey prior to setting foot through these woods as well. Although I do not doubt anyone's skills but we may encounter trouble if a Nether beast tries to harm the Princess again", Eques Noctis stated. 

The entire party stayed silent as they all knew that the woods they were currently in had many secrets of its own hidden within it so they had to be careful. If the Nether Realm already knew that the Princess was in these woods it wouldn't be long before they would attack once again. They would usually send one or two beasts at a time but there was always a chance that they kept testing the Young Knight to find his weakness. At the same time finding a Thur in the forest was also a rare event. They knew that the deeper they walked through the woods the more vicious the creature they could face. Breaking them from their silent thought bubble Eques Tempus continued,

"The journey to the Valley of Death can vary from a couple of days to half a month depending on the dangers we will have to face and since we may travel only under the light of the stars it may be more tedious than usual. Moreover no one really knows where the entrance of the Valley is. So, everyone needs to be careful of their surroundings. The Valley tests anyone who dares to make the foolish journey to enter it"

"It would be best to either leave landmarks or stop at a place that is easy to find.", Eques Lux recommended

"No. If it is too easy to find for us. It would also be too easy for any enemy or beast to find the place. Keep moving forwards until you meet Eques Mortis. If we have a common goal we will definitely meet.", Eques Noctis stated

"Is there a possibility that you may be able to alter the speed of time? So, we can cover more ground.", the Princess asked. Her eyes were filled with wonder at just the thought of altering time. While the Young Knight's eyes widened in amusement as he looked at her with a smile etched on his face. He wondered where that thought had come from. They did have intellectual debates at times but never with regards to the topic of time. It would be a good topic to speak about at a much leisure hour. But at the same time, he was glad, for usually the Princess would stay silent or playful but at crucial times she always came through with some of the best plans. She truly lived up to her name as "The True Empress" but she yet had to take back her throne. Thinking about it Eques Noctis wondered if she may have just suggested the foundation of a truly explicable plan to escape the beasts by making altercations in time. 

Although Eques Tempus and Eques Lux were also shocked at the idea presented by the Princess, they knew that altering anything relative to time would be their downfall. It had been tried before by a previous set of Eques'. The ones belonging to her father. There was a prophecy which led to the downfall of the Kingdom. Initially, the prophecy spoke of betrayal and death but the King too concerned with what would have happened wanted to make sure even the death of his cousin would never take place. It was a sacrifice the Commander-In-General was willing to make. But with the insistence of the King and the meddling of the then Eques Tempus led to a siege to be laid on the Lands of Atleana. In the end the only survivor was the Princess and her uncle who was disabled but yet taught the Young Knight as his teacher. Eques Tempus knew that the intention of the Princess was good but they could not take a risk before the final knight was found. They could not have a repeat of the past. They had to learn from it. The Princess had no idea that her father's own actions led to the downfall of the Kingdom and caused the Princess to be on the run for 14 years. Finally, Eques Tempus spoke up,

"It may be a truly brilliant idea Your Highness, but we learn from the past. And from what we know meddling with time even with the speed of it can cause a detrimental outcome not only for the land but also for the people."

The Princess nodded in understanding as the remaining Fraterhood once again began the discussion for their next plan which went on deep into the night. By the time the dawn crept on them, they had accurately planned the amount of time they would require and could hold leverage in case of setbacks or any unpredictable attacks.

As all discussions came to a halt and the time for the Young Knight to depart approached, he observed that the Princess was fiddling with the dagger by her waist. He had made it with a combination of Mithril and Adamantium so it was strong and durable but also light for the Princess to carry and wield and had gifted it to her on her most recent birthday. He had already taught her how to use it and she had with such precision that the Young Knight had to tell her to only use it in the most desperate times. But he wouldn't exactly call it a gift because he knew that she wouldn't like that. So the dagger had become a reminder to himself and the Princess of the life changing war both of them were to be prepared for. It was a promise from the Eques Noctis that he would continue to train her to fight for the upcoming hardships so that he may not have to worry in case the war did not fare well in the knights' favour. He did not want her to use it ever but he could not coddle the Princess. Although he wished to hide her away from the war, he knew that she belonged to her people more than she belonged to the Fraterhood of Eques. The Young Knight leaned on the trunk of a nearby tree and stared at the Princess lost in these thoughts. It did not take long for the Princess take notice of him and walk towards him. 

When she reached him, she stood facing him and she placed her right hand on his shoulder plate and looked at his helmet or rather she searched the eyes beyond the helmet. She did not know why she was not permitted to see his face but she knew deep in her heart that she could trust him completely. The Young Knight took notice of the Princess' expression and felt a sad smile spread on his face. They had grown close. Close as best friends but he dreaded the day she found out the truth behind the helm. As their eyes met and the staring continued both failed to notice it was dawn and as Eques Lux and Eques Tempus came to take over their duties the Princess for the first time saw the fading of her Knight. The more he faded the more she wanted to hold on. She felt her eyes full with tears and a small gasp escape her lips as she once again stood there alone waiting for her Knight to come back. But though her tears blurred out her vision she stilled noticed his faint smile as the helm had vanished just before he did. It was the same smile she had seen countless times in her dream. She had always imagined it but to know it was the same made her smile as she felt more confident in herself and knew that she needed to work harder to be the Princess she was and her Young Knight wanted her to be. With confidence she decided that her first step would be to train as a Warrior. Then a Council woman. Followed by being a Strategist and finally the Princess. And maybe just maybe 'His Princess'. With these thoughts the Princess fell asleep leaning against the same tree her Young Knight had faded.

The following morning the first phase of the strategy was implemented. Eques Tempus, Eques Lux and the Princess readied themselves to leave for the Valley. Eques Tempus packed any essential tools that either of the Eques had found along their way while the Princess and Eques Lux searched for food and water. Finally, as they completed their preparations, the Princess with determination in her heart settled herself one of the branches of the same tree she had used the previous night while Eques Lux settled himself behind a tree on the opposite side of the clearing. On the other hand, Eques Tempus scanned the surrounding area to look for any potential dangers while also keeping an eye on the Princess as they all waited for the return of Eques Noctis. A tedious task but trivial to the knights who were trained all their life to protect the Princess.