The cult was easily able to attack the Princess's caravan, having all the advantages - larger numbers, the element of surprise, and even one of the princess's most trusted guardians had turned against her.  It was only a matter of minutes before the rest of the guards were slain and Alinia herself was captured, a bag thrown over her head and arms quickly tied behind her back, pulled away before she even realized the extent of what had happened.  Her carriage and everything she had brought with for her honeymoon was left, ruined and destroyed, while the cultists rode off with their prize.<br/><br/>Several hours later, they stopped at a small, hidden clearing in the forest, dismounting and bringing the bound and struggling princess with them.  Two of the cultists began tying her in place in preparation for their last step of their conquest.  One of the cultists, an elderly man with a graying beard, turned to Lycoris with a smile.  "Well, this went far better than I could have hoped," he said with a laugh.  "Here, your payment for your help.  Would you like to stay a while and see what we have planned for the princess?" he asked as he handed a small, bulging bag to the guard.