It was only a couple days' ride to the kingdom of Veruu but Durzo and his horse Adelia made good time arriving at the castle gate around the afternoon of the second day. Durzo's horse was bred to keep a steady gallop due to its smaller size compared to the heavily armored cavalry horses that both kingdoms possessed so the trip was relatively easy. She huffed a bit at the approaching castle guard, shaking her long shiny black mane. Her deep shimmering brown hide almost sparkled in the dim moonlight. For a ranger horse, she was as fine a specimen as any thoroughbred.<br/><br/>The guard approached, side stepping a bit so as not to antagonize the seemingly antsy beast. Adelia's big brown eye traced the guard until she quickly turned her head and snipped her powerful jaws at him. The stocky fellow jumped back a bit, startled by the sudden aggressive behavior of the horse.<br/><br/>"Now now Adelia, he's just doing his job." Durzo gave her a light pat on her neck before reaching into his bag and presented the scrolled message he recieved earlier just the other day. "Ranger Durzo reporting to the King. Let me pass" the guard didn't hesitate one moment after reviewing the document and skuttled over and motioned for the gate to open. Loud creeks and pops from the iron bolts and old wood sounded off as the massive gate slowly swung open.<br/><br/>Through the gate Durzo could see the main cobblestone roadway that stretched to the town center. The road was surrounded on both sides with shops, taverns, and small stables for traveler's horses. the normal hussle and bussle of the day was at its full capacity of townsfolk scattered about the main square. Dusk was arriving fast and Durzo still had another couple miles of town to navigate though to get to the castle.<br/><br/>***(Later that day, dusk begins and Durzo stands before the King)***<br/><br/>"Ranger Durzo, at your service my Liege." A young escort announced loudly to the King. Although the lad's voice was still developing, the grand sphere-like layout of the throne room reverberated his voice nicely. The servants down the hall likely would have heard the announcement as well. The king merely dismissed the boy with a simple wave of his hand. Durzo hid a smile of gratitude at the gesture as it was getting late and with all the other tedious formalities he had to endure once he reached the castle, it was quite a welcome relief.<br/><br/>"I do apologize old friend for the taxing procedures they implement on my guests. I dare say that a man of your stature hardly needs any announcement, even without the Ranger title. I mean no offense of course, I'm simply...." the King spoke hurriedly and his lack of comfort with the entire situation was more than obvious. Rangers were trained to read body language and to read between the lines of speech in order to investigate and even interrogate properly, but the King's uncertainty would've been clear enough to a child. Durzo politely interrupted him.<br/><br/>"No need for apologies, I can understand this being a difficult time for you indeed. With all due respect sire, I'm simply confirming my presence and my agreement to the duty asked of me.  Id rather just settle in for the night so we can get an early start on our journey tomorrow." The King sighed with mild relief and even let a small smile escape his lips.<br/><br/>"Of course, of course. Joel will show you to you quarters." The King gestured to a small servant boy near the doorway. "Come quickly boy! Show our guest to the spare room down the hall from the Princess, they both have a big day ahead of them tomorrow." The servant complied immediately and Durzo bowed slightly to the King before following the boy.<br/><br/>***<br/>As expensive sand comfortable as the bed looked, Durzo never felt right sleeping in any if the castles' guest beds. For mere practical reasons he was so used to sleeping on a Forrest floor or his stiff bed of hay in his cottage that the softness of a royal guest bed hurt his back. It was also easier to wake up from a hard surface and normally the floor here would be no exception; except that the Princess's hand maiden made sure everyone roomed in that particular hallway with the princess was up as early as she was.<br/><br/>It didn't take long for Durzo to pack his things: bow, quiver, short sword, belt and dagger all attached over his simple yet effective outfit of dark brown tanned hide leather slacks, dark but faded green vest pulled over a dark gray shirt. He adjusted his tattered greenish-grey ranger cloak and fitted the hood correctly. After double checking his equipment he quickly made his way through the grand halls and down the main stairs to the stables. It wasn't long before he had Adelia prepped with light travel equipment and slowly trottered her out front. There Durzo found a royal carriage pull up with servants piling what looked like the princess's belongings on top of its roof. Durzo quickened Adelia's pace and hopped down to confront the servant directing the others.<br/><br/>"Would someone kindly tell me, what is all that mess?" Durzo spoke loudly but didn't shout. The servant in charge was so startled he nearly fell over. But he was quick to answer the master Ranger.<br/><br/>"Its all of the Princess's belongings Mi'Lord. She's to move in to the Sermia kingdom permanently and..." Durzo's hand shot up and the servant flinched as if he were about to be hit. Durzo merely held his hand in front of the servants face<br/><br/>"I know that part, I meant why is it being packed now?" But before the servant could answer Durzo merely waved him off and made his way back to the throne room. If it was one thing Durzo didn't like, it was baggage, both literal and figurative. As Durzo entered the throne room the King had already started towards Durzo.<br/><br/>"You know why I'm here so this should be easy to understand Sire. I understand those are the princess's belongings and she will need them with her in Sirmia. However I request you let me take her without the carriage, then after two days send it along. If you want her journey to be a safe one, better to disguise ourselves as common travelers than royalty." The Kung nodded in agreement the gestured for Durzo to walk with him. The Ranger followed in step with King as they exited the Throne room and down the main hall. There in the hall was the first time Durzo had seen the princess.<br/><br/>She emerged from the eastern hall and was adorned in an extravagant dress and made so propose and prim that one could easily have mistaken her for the Queen. But in the brief moment all Durzo could do is stare in disbelief at her elegant gown and shook his head.<br/><br/>"Do these people know nothing of words 'travel attire'?" He mumbled quietly to himself as he approached the princess properly, took her hand gently and bowed. "A pleasure Mi'Lady"