Valdreds head knocked to the side and he fell hard to the ground, senseless.<br/><br/>Or had he?<br/><br/>Valdred found himself standing in the small courtyard of Holdenfast Castle.  It still looked as rundown as he remembered.  He looked about, confused.  Wasn't he just fighting some bandits just now?  Obviously if he was back at home then they must have won the fight.  But Holdenfast Castle was more than a weeks ride away, had he forgotten the journey home?<br/><br/>"Valdred, so good to see you home boy." a deep voice rumbled in greeting.  Spinning around, Valdred saw his mother and father standing near.  "What treasure did you bring back with you?  Something expensive and rare I hope.  We'll need the funds to repair the castle after all."<br/><br/>Valdred found himself holding the chain to a small treasure box that glittered with golden embroiderery.  How had he not noticed that before?  The blow that the took from that bandit must have been harder than he had thought.  "Well...it's..." he started to reply, staring at the box.  What was in it?  Why couldn't he remember?<br/><br/>"Oh, never mind that." His mother said.  She was looking behind Valdred.  "Who is this lovely lady that you've brought with you?  It's only proper that you introduce us."<br/><br/>Valdred turned to look at his companion.  how long had she been standing there?  "Well...mother...this is...Jessica...no..Lili...I mean Lyre...Lyrre..."  His companions face seemed to blur, shifting between different faces within the span of the blink of an eye.  That was odd.<br/><br/>"Surely you are not planning on marrying her, Valdred."  his father said.  Valdred almost questioned his father but he was still trying to figure out who it was that was standing beside him.  "You're both women after all.  It wouldn't be proper."<br/><br/>Women?!<br/><br/>Valdred looked down at himself.  His shiny parade armor had been replaced with a pale, satiny gown with a wide full skirt.  He started to sputter in reply, staring at his exposed cleavage.  "What?!  But I'm not...this isn't..."<br/><br/>"I suppose that we'll have to call off the wedding to Baron Nical's daughter."  His mother said sadly, shaking her head slightly. Her expression then brightened.  "I did hear that the Dukes son is looking for a wife.  Perhaps we can start to make some inquiries.  Yes...this does present a wonderful opportunity.  It's a good thing that you turned out to be such a lovely young woman."