*This is a private thread between nomannic and I*

The war between Peria and Hamerfel had gone on for more than a century. It was the type of war that people no longer knew how it started but that it must go on because it had become a way of life for them. The kingdoms had gone beyond mere hand to hand combat. They developed sneaky methods of attacking cities and sent forth spies at every turn.

Despite their passion for the fight neither could gain too much ground before the other pulled it out from under them. They both had plentiful resources and there seemed to be no end. That was when the two current kings decided enough was enough. It was obvious there would never be a clear victor.

When the negotiations began many of the common folk were relieved. It was hard to watch their men march off to battle for an unknown cause. The thought of peace was a strange concept as every citizen had been raised during the war. To be able to relax without worrying if your house would be trodden down by an army was a welcome idea.

The war mostly had ended once the negotiations started. It was difficult between the two countries to simply toss away their built up prejudices and so they began to send ambassadors. For a couple months that worked, that is until strange occurrences happened to them.

Finally as a last resort to completely restore peace the kings agreed to marry their eldest children. The two kingdoms would be forced to reconcile with their ruler's tied together in marriage. It seemed the perfect plan.

The only problem to their perfect plan was that Princess Lilani from Peria was against the idea. She was what you might called a spoiled girl. She had been waited on hand and foot since her birth and new no other life style. To marry her enemy was appalling and inconceivable. When she was informed of the union she accept only to turn behind her father's back and hire an assassin to kill the prince of Hamerfel. With no prince, then she wouldn't have to marry.

The first attempt was close but failed. Somehow the prince came out of it alive and the assassin was caught. Immediately things were set in a higher gear to push the wedding. No one suspected Princess Lilani as she put on the air of a hesitantly excited bride.

Princess Lilani was stubborn and not going to admit defeat. She had heard through her personal network of spies that the prince had been assigned a bodyguard to watch over him until the wedding. Princess Lilani sent another assassin only to be given the news that the bodyguard fulfilled his duty and gave his life for the prince.

Twice there was no success and Princess Lilani grew more heated and desperate. Though in her desperation to kill her husband-to-be she took a less direct route to assassinate him. She sent her best assassin to pose as the bodyguard and bring the prince across the border before killing him. No one would suspect the bodyguard of being the assassin.

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The journey from Peria to Hamerfel took one through a dangerous mountain pass that housed wolves, bears, and some unsightly characters. It was no problem for the assassin as they made their way to the capitol city of Hamerfel. The assassin didn't quite understand what Princess Lilani had done in order to fill the bodyguard spot, but whatever the Princess had managed through her personal network the assassin had been sent on their way.

When the assassin arrived in the capitol city it was vastly different from Peria's capitol. Peria was a costal kingdom that had a heavy seaport trade. Hamerfel on the other hand dealt mostly with man crafted goods. Fine silks were spun, intricate glass was made, and other such wares were created in the capitol. Both kingdoms were extremely wealthy despite how much they funded into the war effort.

The castle stood higher than the city on a large hill. The whole city surrounded the castle perfectly and was built so that at every turn your eyes were drawn to the magnificent palace. It was nothing like the white palace of Peria, but it was beautiful just the same.

Once inside the palace the assassin relaxed a bit. No one knew who they were or exactly where they had come from. The assassin was shown into the throne room where they were greeted by King Odian.

"You're highness," the assassin bowed.

"Good day, though I wish that perhaps I would not be greeting you under such conditions." King Odian looked grave and troubled. "To have your son taken from you nearly twice is difficult to bear."

The assassin was surprised by the familiarity in which the king spoke but figured it would be easier to gain his trust this way.

They spoke for a short while until the king waved at a servant. The servant darted off to fetch the prince so that he may meet the new bodyguard.

Once the prince entered the throne room the assassin turned and King Odian stood to introduce.

"My son this is your new bodyguard, Nora." The king gestured to the striking woman.

"Your highness," Nora bowed her head before she looked the prince over with her stark green eyes.

Nathaniel pressed the last of his belongings - a few items of clothing, a photograph of his mother, and the travel foods the cook had sent up - into his bag. He set it by the door with a sigh. They were leaving in the morning, to the Kingdom of Peria where he would meet his wife-to-be and begin the process of preparing for the marriage. With a snort, he set his sword by the pile. His father had actually agreed to marrying him off, and now look what happens! Now he has to leave home, be the ambassador, do all these bureaucratic things. Nathan would rather be at war.

Just then, one of the servants came to his room, knocking on the door. "Enter," he ordered, trying to keep the annoyance out of his voice. This wasn't the servants fault.

"Your father requests your presence downstairs, your Highness."

"Thank you," Nathan mumbled, waving off the servant. Slipping his sword through his belt, Nathaniel went downstairs to the throne room, bare feet slapping the floor. Who cared about being elegant and regal. What's the point of being a prince if you can't walk barefoot in a castle?

When he arrived downstairs, much to his surprise, he found his father waiting with a woman. There was no bodyguard in sight, though the woman was oddly dressed and carried an unusual amount of weapons. She must be a Perian woman, he though. I heard they let their woman carry weapons. Then his father introduced the woman as his bodyguard, and Nathan stumbled, nearly faceplanting into the marble floor.

"I - I beg your pardon?!" Nathaniel snapped. "It's a girl! I'm not letting a girl guard my life! A jackrabbit would do a better job!!"

Nora scoffed as the prince burst. She had always been met with skeptical eyes over her profession. Naturally this bodyguard act was just a cover up for what she really did. The skills she had learned and honed came in handy for getting what she wanted. She knew that this job was going to be difficult because she had to pretend with this silly prince.

"Well then I'll arrange for a jackrabbit replacement, though you might want to rethink that as they do not have thumbs and would only make a meager meal." Nora's words were cool as she had her arms folded.

"Do not be fooled my son, Nora is the woman you want on your side. Besides, she is the perfect protection for you. Women are always underestimated, and I can promise you Nathaniel that you should never underestimate a woman." The king spoke in warning to Nathaniel. "Whether you like the idea or not she is your protection. I've exhausted my resources trying to find someone to keep you alive. She is the best there is." The king said.

Nora said nothing as the king spoke. She merely stood quietly where she was and continued to look at the prince. He wasn't awkward or ugly looking and she raised her brow as she spotted his naked feet. She wondered why he wasn't wearing shoes as castle floors were typically cold most of the time.

"Now you are to respect her and follow her orders. She knows more than you think and I expect this union to take place. Have you finished packing?" the king looked to Nathaniel.