"Welcome, my lords! This is the finest inn on the north side of the Forgotten Forest!" The innkeeper crowed.

"We'll take a room, sir, and whatever meal you're cooking up."

"Yes M'lord! And a 'af a tankard of ale?" The man asked.

"I'll have a glass, but the boy won't," Erik decided, clapping Sheo on the shoulder. After all, the boy was barely seventeen. Erik didn't understand why Sheo was glaring at him.

"Coming right up, M'lords!"

"Come along Sheo, and bring our bags. I'd like to change into a proper outfit before dinner," Erik called, climbing the rickety stairs up to the rooms above.

A moment later, the prince gazed around the small room and fell onto the bed. It wasn't very comfortable. He jumped back to his feet and prowled the room, searching every crevice.

Dead crickets had been swept into a corner. The window was covered only by a small yellow cloth that has three green patches sewn over holes. The wooden bed was scratched and dented.

"How is it, Sir?" Sheo questioned.

"It'll do," Erik decided. They quickly changed out of their riding clothes and into more simple leather garments.

"The food is ready, M'lords," a soft woman's voice called from the other side of the door.

The two boys hurried down, as they were rather hungry from a long day of travel. Taking their place at the finest table, the prince and servant ate together, side by side.

As Erik began to slow his feasting on the duck stew, pigs feet, and a slab of not-so-fine steak, he gazed around the room. A few other groups chatted and ate, but the one that caught his most attention was the girl sitting alone by the door. She ate simply, just a small bread roll and a helping of the duck stew. Erik could feel her watching him as well.

The girl stood from her chair. After carefully wrapping the remains of the bread in a cloth, she stood and made her way to the bar. After fishing a few coins out of her pocket, she tipped the innkeeper. Then she turned, locked eyes on Erik, and started his way.

She didn't stop at their table though, just walked straight past; bumping Erik slightly on the way as she left the inn. She walked like a queen, Erik noted. She was beautiful too, as pretty as most princesses he'd seen. She resembled most like Princess Thea, from the Fourth Kingdom of Harlya, but a relation would be impossible. This girl was clearly just a nobleman's daughter.

After an hour or so of chatting light conversation with the other guests, the innkeeper went around to collect his due. Erik fished inside he pockets, then patted them, confused.

"I'm afraid I left my coin purse with my horse," Erik murmured to Sheo. "I'll be right back. Make an excuse for me, like I went to the privy or something."

"Why not the truth?"

"Because that's embarrassing. Any good nobleman would know to keep his money on him. Now be a good lad, I'll be right back!" He hissed.

Erik hurried out the the door and into the stable. His coin purse, surprisingly, was sitting right on the saddle. He hadn't left it there.

A soft noise came from behind him. Erik whirled around and unconsciously reached for his sword. "Who's there?" he demanded.

A pair of green eyes glowed from the dark, and a girl, the girl that he'd noticed, stepped into a small patch of moonlight.