Motto held Genevieve and just as he was glancing up to see the approaching knights, something caught his eye.  Slowly he looked down again.  The delicate fabrics of the Princess’s gown clung to her figure and in some places the water rendered it ..transparent.  Just enough to be scandalous.  Motto pupils retracted and something broke inside him.<br/><br/>“MY LORD!”  The lead knight said as he brought his steed to a stop.  “Is Her Ladyship harmed??”<br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF00">“Just a little accident.  Thank you, Sir Pike.” </span>Motto motioned with his head while looking at the oarsmen.<span style="color: #00BF00"> “Fetch my coat please.”</span>The boat had drifted to a nearby shallow place and the servant quickly obeyed.<span style="color: #00BF00">“I should like to get the Princess back to the castle myself.  Your horse please, Sir Pike.”  </span>The Knight dismounted and took a knee.    His coat was handed to him and Motto faced Lady Genevieve.<span style="color: #00BF00"> “My Lady.”</span>He placed his coat over her shoulders and offered his arm.  Should she mount the horse he would seat himself behind her and place his arm about her waist.<br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF00">“Hang on tight.” </span>He said in a low voice.<br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF00">“Do not follow me.” </span>He commanded the men.  He gave the horse a decisive spur.  The knights looked on in bewilderment as their King galloped in the opposite direction and disappeared into the forest.  “Go.”  Sir Pike sighed.  “We must stop him.  The King is lovesick.”<br/><br/>“But..Captain..”<br/><br/>“I know.”  The older knight was twice the King’s age and knew him well.  It was because he loved Motto that he now risked his own livelihood.   “It an order from your Captain, not your King.  Are you not a knight of Gilthlore?  Do as I say and I will take the responsibility!  Nevermind, lend me your horse.”<br/><br/>Sir Pike mounted and pointed to the men reluctant to accompany him.  “Tell Hector right away.  Do as he says..”  With that he took off in pursuit of his King and the fair Princess.<br/><br/>Motto took several different turns, taking them deeper into the wood and slowed the horse in a quiet place where the canopy above was especially thick and the forest floor was soft with moss.<br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF00">“Genevieve.”  </span>The King’s hand slowly trailed around her body as he dismounted.  He would support her if she lowered down and let his finger tips tarry on the bodice of her waistline while remaining quite close.  Words<span style="font-style: italic">weren’t </span>within his grasp however, the young King opting to kiss his future Queen's neck instead.  He would work his way down without any self-restraint..Motto wasn’t a terribly disciplined man when it came to these matters it would seem.