The princess blinked.  "Athenril?  Well, I admit, she's been... changing slightly recently, physically as well as a little in regards to her personality.  I guess it shouldn't surprise me that someone so... accustomed to changes like that would be chosen."  She nodded, pulling at one earlobe for a long moment.<br/><br/>"Alright.  I'll use that as my excuse.  And I will have to let my father know, maybe convince him to give those who aren't chosen some form of... official recognition as defenders of the realm, so those I don't choose don't feel left out, and maybe decide to try to do something to the chosen ones to prevent them going so they can be chosen instead."<br/><br/>She pursed her lips for a moment.  "I'll have to come up with some reason why father and Alexander should stay here.  I suppose I can play on the fact that there must be an heir to the throne here in the capital, should something happen to me."  She stilled.  "I suppose this shouldn't come as any surprise to me, truth be told, I've always felt I was meant for something more than simply ruling a dying kingdom with little hope of survival beyond a few years.  After all, the Mother has always answered my prayers and my requests, so long as they haven't been... extravagant."  She smiled faintly.  "And I'd have a hard time convincing Athenril not to come along with me on this anyway.  She's the best guard I've ever had, and I'm glad I convinced father to choose her out of all the applicants when I dismissed my last one.  Foul, overbearing, controlling wretch that she was, I couldn't do anything to help the people with her around, she wouldn't let them near enough to me to talk!"