Sorena woke up earlier than normal. In fact, she was rather sure the entire town must have woken from the noise coming from outside. She’d heard the horn’s the signaled the comings and goings of military persons once before. Ten years ago when she was a young girl, watching the Kingdom of Arlan’s knights and soldiers make their way off to war near the coast, a whole kingdom away to go to the aid of their neighbors, the Shorins. This army had comprised the King, His Highness King Carian Arlan, knights, all the standing military they had and most of the capable men, anyone who could wield a weapon.

Her father had been in that group. He was the head of the Order of the Guardian, the Kings most trusted warriors. It was an honor to watch them head off to war. She had felt pride to know her family was taking part in such a noble cause. Protecting their home! A daughter could be no prouder than she had been at that moment. They all looked so charming in their armor and atop their horses, she could not wait to celebrate their return.

And then reality hit. It hit her like a four horse-drawn carriage.

That reality was not only had they been gone for nearly eleven years, the King had left his advisor Adam Moran in charge. The King had been married, but Queen Sophia Arlan had always been a frail woman and they decided it would be best for her not to rule in her husband’s stead, a sturdier option had to be made. He was a skilled enough man at diplomacy with their neighboring countries. Sadly, his treatment of the people in his own land lacked. He had quickly wasted the gold brought in from taxes on improving his own living situation, putting none of it in to the upkeep of the kingdom it was meant to serve. And soon the towns fell apart, and the people felt it. It was a slow degradation. The King had left plenty of food stores; he had been wise to make sure harvests were well tended. But Moran often put off the planting till it was too late in the season for plants to grow, and soon the food wore out. He reached out to the nearest allies, and they were willing to give, but it was hard to do so when they too, were in a time of war. In fact, the war was happening on their very soil and they were unable to give as much as was needed.

Sorena had just been a girl when things went badly, and there was nothing she could do about it. Though she was one of the lucky ones. She had to cut out some more expensive things. But it was fine if she had to give up the gorgeous gowns of her youth, she was just the daughter of a Knight and a simple gown would suit her needs as well as silken layers.

The Queen had tried to stand up for the people, but sadly the King had left her with child, and hope, sadly the Queen had died bearing that child, children actually, a set of twin boys, the children had survived, though to say they flourished would be too much. They were well cared for by their nurse and often publicly dotted on by Regent Moran, but otherwise, left to their own devices outside of lessons.

Now that she was a grown woman, she had come of age a few months previously. She had begun to pay more attention to these things, mostly because the Regent had begun to stare at her. Eighteen years old felt no different from seventeen, but she was pleased she was finally an adult. Whatever that entailed, so far, it entailed being gawked at like a prime piece of meat. This was understandable from an objective view. She was an attractive enough young woman. Her hair was long and blonde, curling in ringlets around her shoulders. She was a maiden, unmarried and able to let it loosen still, though she covered it in church. Her figure was, while over draped in modest gowns obviously become very curved, it was hard to hide the way her gowns clung to her chest and the style of bodice that was popular, which pressed the tops of breasts in to view was certainly doing nothing to hide her figure.

But she was not a woman of appearance and had dedicated most of her free time to trying to help the people of the local town that surrounded the castle. While she could complain about having to give up many of her personal hobbies and passions, she knew she still had much more than the people who lived in the towns.

Though today, as she looked out the window of her simple room, her maids sitting silently beside her she was amazed to see the approaching army. Amazed, fearful and thrilled all at once, she had no idea a person was able to feel so many emotions swirling around at once. The horns had blown early and pulled her from her dreams, and it had surprised her to see flags in the distance. As they grew closer, she could tell that they were in fact Arlan flags. Men had returned from war! Almost eleven years and they had finally returned! There was so much to do. People were crowding around the town gates. She could see people streaming in from all parts of the town through her window. There was a firm knock of the door.

“Lady Sorena, the King has returned, and they saw your family flag in the procession! We must get you ready to see your father!”

Sorena was more than happy to agree and had ordered they gather her best gown for the occasion. Though soon a well-dressed man also came to her door and stood beside her maid.

“Madam, the Regent would like a work with you.” He told her in an indifferent tone. She knew him, he was one of the Regent's guards, it was strange he had been sent himself.

Sorena looked at her maid and then the man. It was hard to suppose what they expected of her in this situation. She should prepare to meet her father, but if the King was not with the procession returning, still miles away, the Regent was still in charge of the area. And they had such paltry word from the front it could have been possible their long gone king was in fact dead. It was hard to get word so far safely or accurately.