Courtly Love (Kolath x QuietSeductress)

[Kolath]

He stood beside the carriage waiting for the princess to arrive. His shoulder length blonde hair blowing gently in the wind, his piercing ice blue eyes scanning around the courtyard. Even though they still were in their home kingdom Sir Jorus of Malcanshare was not taking any chances. He had been the protector of the princess for almost his entire time as a knight. There was no chance that he would fail her now that she was on her way to be married. The very thought of the princess marrying someone else ripped at Jorus' heart though he didn't show anything on his face. He loved the princess more than words could ever say. However he knew his place as her protector and so said nothing to her just keeping silent forever. Even while guarding the door to her wedding chamber in less than a week, he would keep silent.

It was his duty to protect her no matter the cost, and that was the one way that he could show her his love, and so he would show her. He was dressed in just simple traveling clothes with the cloak marking him as one of the kings knights. His hand rested on his sword hilt as the princess came out with her father to say their farewells. He held the door to the carriage for her waiting for her to enter before he would turn to his own horse to follow behind.

 

[QuietSeductress]

So the day finally came, Princess Katherine waited just inside the castle entrance, waiting to be escorted out by her father to the carriage. Katherine was the King's only daughter and it was expected that she was to be married off, not only to secure her future, but to bind the two kingdoms and make a unified front. She stood there, playing with one of the curls of her deep red hair. She was anxious to meet her future husband; this will be there first meeting and the only one before they are to be married.

The gates to the courtyard opened, and with her father, Katherine was escorted out to the carriage. She smiled fondly when her green eyes fell upon Sir Jorus. He had been her knight and in charge of protecting her for several years now. Katherine was quite fond of Jorus, but only as far as a princess should be of her protector. She turned and kissed her father farewell; he had tears in his eyes, but was happy for her. Katherine turned to the carriage and with one hand, bunched up the front of her long colbalt blue velvet gown. She held her other hand out for Sir Jorus to take and help her into the carriage.

 

[Kolath]

Taking her hand Jorus helped princess Katherine into the carriage before closing the door behind her making sure she was settled. Tapping the side of the carriage the driver started it off down the road and out of the gates of the castle. Before it was more than a few feet from where it had started Jorus was beside it on his large bay charger. The trip would be a long one taking several days but there was so little unrest in the kingdom right now that he didn't worry too much about bandits or anything of the like.

He rode close to the side the princess Katherine was sitting on staying within ear shot of her to be available should she need anything. They wouldn't stop till it as time for the midday meal which the castle kitchens had prepared and packed for not only the princess but her protector and the driver as well. Pulling into a large clearing at the side of the road where it was clear that many other such travelers had stopped at times. Jorus was still careful as he looked around the clearing making sure that there was no danger in sight before dismounting and going to help the princess out of the carriage. The driver already unloading the basket of food for them and laying out a blanket for the princess to sit on.

 

[QuietSeductress]

Katherine watched as the carriage pasted the castle and made its way to a large clearing. She would miss her home greatly, but was glad to have Jorus with her. A few times, she'd look his direction and smile at him. He was riding next to the carriage, intent on the road ahead, but within earshot if she needed anything from him. Sir Jorus was a gallant knight, always making sure that Katherine's safety was his top priority. Katherine had fond memories of her rebellious years and sneaking out of the castle, only to be caught by Jorus. She tried her best, but she could never escape him; trying to do so had become more exciting than sneaking out of the castle.

The carriage had stopped and it was time to eat. Katherine briefly touched her hand to her stomach. She still had butterflies about meeting her future husband, but now that was being overshadowed by her hunger. When Jorus opened the carriage door, Katherine was already on her feet, waiting for him to help her out. "I am quite famished! I had barely little to eat this morning because of all the excitement." She said to Jorus as they made their way to the blanket and basket of food that was laid out for her. She gracefully sat down, allowing the bottom of her dress to fan out around her, "Please, let us all sit and enjoy this meal." She motioned for Jorus and her driver, Carter, to join her.

The spread was nothing too extravagant, just some cheese and bread, accompanied with fruit and wine. After Katherine had she share, she leaned back on her hands, letting the sun soak into her skin. the trip would take several days and hopefully she would not be so nervous when she arrived. She sat back up, taking a moment to observed her company. Carter was still immersed in his meal; he was never one to pass up a good slice of bread and wedge of cheese. Katherine giggled as Carter missed his mouth completely as he tried to bite into the bread while pouring himself some more wine. "Would malady like some more wine?" Carter offered her the skin of wine, "No thank you Carter, I am quite full!" She patted her belly, indicating its fullness.

 

[Kolath]

Jorus helped the princess out of the carriage gently holding her hand as she climbed down and could only smile a little at the comment she made. "I believe that nervousness is normal for someone heading to a wedding." Though he was smiling his heart was twisting deep in his chest as talk of the wedding always made him feel like he was losing her. Shaking the feeling he reminded himself that he had never really had her to begin with, she was the princess she was never and would never be his.

Coming over and sitting with Carter and Katherine he slowly let himself start eating after she was done. His eyes never left the edge of the clearing keeping a watchful eye out for anything that was out of place. The last thing he wanted was to allow the princess to be harmed because of his lack of attention. Their trip would be a long one and the most dangerous part was still to come. There was a cursed wood that they would need to pass through the next day to enter into Cenric's kingdom. Cenric was the man that Katherine was to marry and he control a much most vast kingdom then her father. The cursed forest wouldn't be a problem as there had been wards placed along the road to protect travelers from any of the monsters.

Finally Jorus stood back up brushing the crumbs off his tunic. "We have a long way to go today. We want to make the inn before nightfall as it will be the last inn for two days that we can sleep in." The dark cursed wood had no inn that could stand under its dark eves. Only a few way stations to the side of the road had been able to be warded off. Something didn't feel right in the clearing but Jorus couldn't put his finger on what it was.

((Sorry about the long delay I will totally understand if you aren't still interested in our game. However I'm mostly back still struggling with my father's recovery but able to post more if you are still wanting to continue.))

 

[QuietSeductress]

Katherine helped Carter put away the food and rose to her feet. Jorus was right, they needed to get going if they were going to make it to the inn before nightfall. She didn't know much about the journey or the land between her father's kingdom and Cenric's but it was not to be taken lightly. With all the supplies put away, the trio made their way back to the carriage. Katherine was helped back into the carriage and after Carter made sure the horses were ready, the carriage got moving again.

Jorus was once again by the side of the carriage and within earshot of Katherine. She leaned over to the window and watched him as he looked ahead. In all the years that Katherine knew Jorus, she had grown fond of his stern professionalism. It used to annoy her but when she realized that he was just trying to protect her and that he would do whatever it took to ensure her safety, Katherine grew a soft spot for him in her heart. "Tell me something Sir Jorus, why is it that you've become a knight and essentially have to babysit me all the time?" Katherine knew that his family wasn't as prosperous, but they were still held in a somewhat high regard at court. Jorus could have been many things, yet he decided on knighthood.

((It's quite alright. I hope your father is doing better. I would love to continue with the story. Good to hear from you again! ))