The Arrangement ( ~ Sweet Cheeks ~ & Morph89 )

The city of Vala'hur, one of the world's biggest cities. Surrounded by lush forests and clear water streams, it is as close to paradise as you can get. It's ruler is a powerful, but kind man, who always does right by his people. He has one daughter who he has made arrangements for. She is to wed Prince Artho, a member of the powerful house Faal. This marriage will unite these two great houses. Artho resides in Dhant, a city far to the west.

With the announcement of the marriage of the princess the city has been in celebration. Deep in the heart of the city, in a packed tavern, Tarik sits in a quiet corner drinking his mug of ale. He is not a sociable person, so he tries his best to keep away from the festivities. The young man is only 22, the youngest knight in the royal guard. He was determined from a young age to become a knight, and he proved his valor and strength at a tourney when he was 19, he has been a dedicated knight of the royal guard since that day.

"I best make my way back to the castle", he sighed. He did not mind returning to his post, he loved his work, he just hated the thought of trekking through waves of drunken oafs blocking the street. He left the solitude of his quite corner, and headed out the tavern door, a ray of light shot him in the face, he had forgotten how bright it was today. He shielded his eyes with his hand. The street was alive with merry making, whores freely walked the street in seek of clients, the stalls were bustling with customers and the smell of fresh baked goods filled the air.

He walked along the street, the small breeze gently blowing his long black hair. He was dressed in his plate armor, he had left the castle without changing as he often did. The armor always looked brand new, the house crest engraved in the chest gleamed in the sun. He was a tall man with an athletic build, he had deep blue eyes and pale clean skin. He was desired by many women, but he never wanted to get tied down, not yet anyway. After pushing and shoving his way through the crowd, he reached the castle. A magnificent building, it towered above every other building in the city. "I best see the commander, see where he wants for the afternoon" He thought to himself.

Joy? Celebrating in the streets? They were all insane, Princess Jacelyn thought to herself. It was a wondering idea to have their princess to be wed to some strange man that she didn't know. The two kingdoms knew of each other and were never rivals but that didn't mean that she had to marry his son. She sat outside, it took a few days before she even had to the strength to go outside and listen to the villagers celebrating still. But it soon died down after about a week. She sat down by the pond out at the side of the castle on the small bench, watching the fish swimming around and she breathed in.

She wasn't happy about this because she had no choice, of course she didn't with an arranged marriage. She usually always got what she wanted but this was something she didn't want and they were forcing her. She knew she had to find someway to leave but how would she? There were guards on every corner of every street and she would be taken back to the castle and scorned for even trying to run away.

Jacelyn was young at twenty, her father said the moment she turned 18 they would be looking for suitors for her. She was glad that in the past two years he hadn't found one but it seemed her luck had now run out and she was 'destined' to marry him. At least her parents and the villagers thought so. She stood at 5'9'', her hair a dark chocolate brown and her eyes a deep icy blue. She was thin but yet toned, wearing a long white, blue and gold gown. It seemed to just drag her down and she had to wear this on her journey to meet her new husband to be? That was rubbish! But once more, she had no say. Why couldn't she have a choice, she'd be so much more happier if she could just meet someone and fall in love. Maybe she'd even be a better queen if she wasn't forced into everything.

But after a few hours of sitting at the pond she stood up and her hands were latched together in front of her stomach and she made her way up the stone steps to the back of the castle where two of her fathers guards were standing. "My lady.." they both spoke as she walked past them, ignoring them and she entered the cold, stone castle and her heels clicked upon the cobble stone. She knew that she'd be leaving soon and not days but hours maybe even less then that, her servants having packed her things for her.

As Tarik strolled across the courtyard he observed the soldiers training. The sound of steel clashing with steel rang throughout the area. "Tarik", bellowed a great big voice behind him. He turned to see the commander of the royal guard, Garrth, a great big tank of a man. He had fire red hair, with a big messy beard, Tarik could see pieces of the commanders food remained in his beard. The man was a great commander, but he ate like a pig, and cared nothing about his appearance. He had grown lazy and had not left the castle in some time. "Why leave when I have an army of men under my command", he would often chuckle. He barley fit in his armor anymore. During war time he had lead his men to many victories, but now he cared more for getting drunk, and bedding the castles maid's.

"Sir!", Tarik stood to attention. "At ease Tarik, no need for formalities. How many times do I need to tell you that lad". "Sorry Sir, force of habit". Tarik's voice was soft and sweet, when not in armor people would never assume he was a knight, he spoke like a royal, even though he was not from wealth. "Important task for you lad, straight from the king himself", Garrth exclaimed. " You are to escort the princess to Dhant.""Just me?" questioned Tarik. "The king believes that a large party will attract attention, she will carry a small traveling bag with her, while the bulk of her luggage will be taken by carriage. Ye will take two horses from the stable and ride by yourselves. I don't think that I need to tell you that this is a tremendous honor".

Escort the princess, he thought to himself. Tarik had never spoke to the princess, he had often seen her around the castle and would of course greet her, but that was it. He had never had a task this important, "When do we leave sir?" asked Tarik. "First light tomorrow, you are to meet the princess at the stables outside of the castle. Two of the finest horses in the land are been saddled for you as we speak"."I better make my preparations then" said Tarik. "Hah" laughed Garrth. "Sod that, go to the tavern, get pissed and bang the first woman you see, enjoy your night, it will be a long trip and you'll be in the presence of royalty". "I will take my leave the sir", said Tarik. "Aye lad, stay safe out there". They shook hands and parted ways.

Tarik had more sense than Garrth and knew he would need a fresh mind in the morning. He headed to his quarters and began filling his backpack with dried beef and cheese, he would need to fill a pouch with water from the well, but that could wait until the morning. He lay on his bed, gazing at the roof. the princess he thought to himself, he knew this would be a long journey.

Walking through the hallways, listening to the maids and to the servants greeting her. She seemed to just block out their words, reaching her quarters and she shut the door behind her. Life just seemed to be... not worth it anymore. She no longer had her life in her hands, her father did. Calling in one of her maids, Jess. She helped her undress out of her gown and into her nightgown. After helping her she shooed the girl away and she climbed into her comfy bed, she was happy here. Just as she was, single and not having to rely on anyone that she didn't know.

Though her eyes trailed up to the ceiling and she breathed in lightly. She swallowed and her head fell to the side as she looked out of her window out to the bright moon shining into her window. After a while her eyes grew heavy and she fell into a deep slumber. Which only felt like a few minutes as she awoken by one of her maids. "My lady. It is time." She said softly and Jacelyn groaned. She rubbed her eyes and she sat up slowly and stood up out of her bed.

Entering her bath quarters she was cleaned by her servants and soon was she was dressed into her gown once more. Though thankfully they would have the best horses in the kingdom to ride on. After getting ready for their... adventure. She walked out into the empty hallways. Quiet as the guards stood as if they were statues, her heels clicked upon the cobble stone again and her servants took her bags and began to set them on her horses' saddle. Placing what food they'd need and water they'd need as well so they didn't starve. It would be a few days ride before they'd reach the other side.

She entered her fathers and mothers quarters as they were already up and about. "Do I have to go? Who is taking me?" She asked, almost a little angrily. She wondered if the man who was taking her, helped them in deciding that she should go. She was just... angry with everyone no matter if it wasn't their fault or not.