The sound of metal colliding with polished marble was heard as a knight made his way through the halls.

His steps only halting as he arrived before a door which had two men standing guard, the knight gave a nod to the two men and made to open the door but was beat as a group of maidens walked out in hurried steps.

He simply gave them a look before walking into the room and closing the doors after himself. He eyes quickly found the person who he was looking for standing by a window and looking out of it.

"Princess" the knight called out to the princess to make his presence known, "ser Jonah, what are you doing here?" the princess turned to gaze at ser Jonah with eyes whose color reminded him of the verdant rivers of his home.

"The sage has left court meaning my presence is no longer required at your Father's side and hence I have returned to yours" Ser Jonah calmly replied.

"He left?" The princess questioned as she moved to have a seat on a chair looking to Ser Jonah with an inquisitive look in her eye. "Indeed, sages don't really stay in court although I'm sure he is still in the capital, he was assigned to our kingdom after all"

"I don't like the sages" the princess' words caused Ser Jonah to let out a chuckle, "you wouldn't be alone in that sentiment princess, but their presence is important" "Thoria has no sages and yet they function well" The princess argued once more.

"Alright that's enough talk about them, tonight is all about you and if the mother Isres is good you might obtain a betrothal" Ser Jonah had a smile as he mentioned a betrothal but the princess let out a huff. "What if I don't want to get married? what if I just want to head out to the world to see the world, the people, to visit the gods ruins and perhaps even find treasure. Mayhap I might find a weapon comparable to the sun spear of the Solisi"

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

The princess was soon lost in the world of her own creation but she was dragged back to reality by her knight who simply sighed, "Tiana all ladies must marry eventually, but who knows maybe your betrothed may allow you such an adventure." Ser Jonah offered her his arm which she stared at for a minute before placing her own into his gloved hand.

"Maybe he will"

********

*creak* the trapdoor creaked as Jason rose his head and looked around, making sure he was safe before stepping out. The light from the outside blinded him causing him to shield his eyes with his palms.

His eyes required time to readjust, he had after all been in pure darkness for an entire week. With his eyes finally adjusted he saw his father lying on the floor with his blood dried on his shirt, seeing his father's body Jason fell to his knees.

His body trembled as he reached out for his father's cold bloodied corpse, as the chill travelled through his body the fact he had tried to deny finally set in his father was gone, he was... dead. The tears broke out, the tears he had held back for seven days so as not to make any noise immediately burst out, filling the silent workshop with his wails.

Jason pulled his father up carrying him on his back, heading to the villages outskirts before digging a grave under a great oak tree. The walk back was a silent one, he simply took in the sight of what was once his town, making his way through the bloodied streets he arrived at the workshop once more he picked the bag he had packed. He gave the town one last look and then headed into the woods leaving the town.

Jason continued his trek through the woods for one day and one night before coming upon a camp. Jason leaned against a tree before peering into the camp, the people there were dressed shabbily with some of the people sporting wounds. He quickly pulled out the knife he had taken with him for protection and hid it in his clothes before walking into the camp.

As he got closer to the camp his grip on his knife tightened, "who are you?" Jason heard someone ask as hand was placed upon his shoulder. His body tensed up as he tried to escape the vice grip on his shoulders, "I will ask you once more boy who are you?" Jason turned around to look at the one with the hand o his shoulder.

The man was an athletic once with leather armor over his torso with an axe at hand, he had two men at his side although neither of them sported their own armor they were equipped with weapons of their own.

"I am Jason of Enbridge" Jason spoke up with all the courage he could muster.

"Enbridge huh..." The man's grip loosened, "no need to be afraid, we are survivors just like you. Come, let us get you something to eat" the man tried to speak in a calm tone as his eyes took in Jason's current state, dried blood on his clothes with his fingers covered in dirt and his eyes red from his lack of sleep.