[ IP ] The Return of the Princess

`` Do I dare disturb the peace?'' 
 
 `` You've asked that question a fair few times now, Princess Layla,'' Sir Rodwyn said. 
 
 `` And your answer?'' Layla glanced at him from her saddle. 
 
 Sir Prin sighed behind her. `` Remains the same, your highness.'' 
 
 Rodwyn chuckled. `` She's nervous, that's all.'' Prin smiled. `` We trust in you, your highness. Usually takes a fair bit of coin to get me this far. Do n't fancy Doomspeak much.'' 
 
 `` Meadowspeak,'' Layla said. `` And you'll both be royal protectors once I claim the throne.'' She'd planned to drop that audacious piece of information after the procession. But sooner seemed fitting, given the circumstance. 
 
 They trudged along the moss filled tiles of the overpass, the gates of Meadowspeek looming closer with each clack of a hoof. Layla swished back her red cloak and drew a small piece of parchment from her maiden's pouch. Her life rested on that small paper, as it proved her right to the throne. 
 
 Swords were unsheathed as they approached. The stationary guardsman spurred to life. `` Halt, who dare approach Meadowspeak?'' 
 
 `` Doomspeak,'' Prin whispered. Layla's lips naturally curled into a smirk. 
 
 She addressed the guards, `` I princess Layla, the rightful heir to the throne. To ask me to halt is to ask the river Meadow to still its flow.'' 
 
 The guards shared a look. She heard their whispers. `` The princess? - Ca n't be?'' 
 
 `` What proof do you have, princess?'' 
 
 Layla approached with her protectors close behind. She handed the parchment to the guard on the right. As he read the words, his eyes grew large. He gasped. `` It's really her!'' 
 
 The other guard looked at her in awe. `` Princess, oh how we've waited.'' He bowed. 
 
 She held her hand out for the parchment and just then a gust of wind blew past sending it spiralling from the guards hand and off the valley edge. 
 
 Princess Layla nearly jumped off her horse in the hopes of catching it. 
 
 But was steadied by Sir Rodwyn. 
 
 He frowned at the guard, who gazed back with a fearful look. 
 
 `` You know how to swim, lad?'' Rodwyn asked. 
 
 The guard gulped and shook his head. 
 
 `` Well, you better learn real fast.'' Rodwyn unsheathed his blade. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

