Bandits Galore

Aliana stalked toward the bandits who were trying to wrench open the royal carriage door. "If you are looking for the Crown Princess of Astaria, you're looking in the wrong place," Aliana growled. She may have been short and slight, but she was a quick and skilled fighter.

The leader of the bandits stepped forward with a confused look on his face. "What kind of princess wears pants? I'm not buying this little bitch's tale."

Aliana snarled at the man's words and raised her sword towards him. "The kind that can kill you."

The lead bandit took a menacing step towards the princess and she swung down her sword with a sickening crack into the man's shoulder. She pulled the sword back out and swung again this time aiming for his neck.

She landed her blow precisely where she wanted and used her boot to kick the man away from her as she wiped her blade on him.

"Galien and Arthurus, finish them," Aliana shouted at her knights. "I need to check on Pryja and Louie."

Her knights nodded and started to fight the shocked bandits, who were still reeling over the death of their leader at the hands of a very terrifying young woman.

Aliana was concerned that maybe one of the men had tried to take one of her ladies, she gave their special knock on the carriage door and Pryja opened the door with a fearful look.

"Alia, you okay?" Pryja screeched frantically. "Louie fainted when the men tried to open the door from shock."

Alia looked at her friends and let out the breath she didn't know she was holding in. Pryja was panting and looked nervous while Louie was laying across one of the benches.

"Princess, can you please ride in the carriage?" Louie muttered with her eyes still closed. "I'd feel a hell of a lot safer with you in here too."

Aliana's eyes softened and nodded, "I'll ride with you guys for a while."

~

The rest of the trip to Eddis passed without incident and Princess Aliana was ready to pull her hair out with boredom. She rode in the carriage for most of the remainder of the trip and it appeased her Princessguard and her ladies.

By the time the long train of carriages, carts, and people reached Eddis, Aliana was happy to be around civilization again. Pryja and Louie helped freshen up the princess' hair and dress to smooth out wrinkles.

Aliana's deep green travel gown complimented her hair and eyes, she opted for a simple platinum banded crown with one medium ruby in the middle as well as a pair of studded ruby earrings. She did not like to look like she was drowning in finery because it restricted her movements.

Eddis was one of the smaller principalities but was known for their textiles and goods, they had some of the finest fabric dyers and tailors in all the land. The capital of Eddis was their destination where there would be a ball held announcing the 14 royal blooded men and the Crown Princess.

Pryja and Louie were staring out the windows of the carriage at the people who lined the streets to greet the princess's caravan and the buildings and farms they passed.

"Do you think Lucien will be one of the choices?" Louie pondered.

Aliana's eyes widened at the name, Lucien had been one of her childhood friends with who she would work on swordplay and get into mischief.

"I think I would have to choose him," Aliana said thoughtfully. "He could always make me laugh."

"I hope they are all handsome and kind," Pryja said with a dreamy expression on her face.

"I think that's a give in Pryja," Louie deadpanned.

Pryja looked hurt and Aliana couldn't help but laugh. Soon the royal carriage was filled with hysterical giggles.

~

There were trumpets blaring in front of the massive castle in the center of the capital of Eddis, Lillestad. Two fat towers marked the entrance of the castle with a giant wooden gate. The entire courtyard of the castle was filled with onlookers to the princess's entourage that finally had arrived.

The royal carriage came to a stop in front of the lowered wooden gate and Sir Galien opened the door to help out the ladies.

"Now arriving, Crown Princess of Astaria and the Seven Principalities Aliana Vangard, her ladies in waiting, Duchess of Vilmme Pryjavna Ostrek and Lady Louisa Drogon of Benbur, her Princessguard captains Sir Galien the Dragonheart and Sir Arthurus of Bellis."

First out of the carriage was Pryja, followed by Louie, they waited on either side of the door to the carriage. Aliana was helped out of the carriage by Sir Galien and he led her followed by her ladies behind them, while Sir Arthurus took the rear. They walked to the entrance of the castle and a few royals were standing there waiting for them.

"Here to greet the Crown Princess and her group is Grand Prince Elric Vestion, Grand Princess Rylia Vestion, and their children Duchess Myria Vestion and Duchess Henriette Vestion."

Aliana stood before the Grand Prince and his family, the Vestion's all bowed deeply to their future queen.

"Prince Elric, I am grateful for you and your lovely family hosting me and my people for the week," Aliana said as she bowed in return. Her ladies followed suit as well as the knights.

"The honor is mine to host our future queen," Prince Elric bellowed. "Please go rest and wash up after your long journey, there shall be a grand ball tonight to announce your potential suitors."

The Princess nodded and the Grand Prince bid her follow him and his family into the castle.