"It's freezing!" Iasa shrieked, her hand pulling away from the tub filled with fresh water.

"Well do something about it then." Eboni sighed, her eyes tired from lack of sleep.

Iasa had woken her at sunrise to help her fill a tub full of fresh water so she could start to preen herself before they docked. After filling a tub for Iasa, one for herself and bowls for Orlan and Bren she was ready to go back to bed.

"Oh." The understanding that she could now use her powers on her own dawned on the Princess.

Watching closely, ready to step in case she lost control, Eboni waited until the water began to steam before ambling her way back to her room.

The light green dress, shoes and ribbon had been carefully laid out on the bed earlier that day. Her muddy and ripped nightgown and cloak discarded in the corner.

She shrugged out of the thick black cloak she had used as a bath robe and dried herself and her hair with a cotton sheet that had been found among the clothing.

Slipping into the dress she smiled to herself, amazed at how comfortable it hung from the curves of her body and how good it made her feel. Not that she would ever admit that out loud.

Putting on the shoes she was pleasantly surprised at their snug fit. She drew the line however at even contemplating how to use the ribbon.

Leaving it laying on the bed she wandered up onto the deck, the warm air and cool breeze leaving pleasant goose-bumps across her skin.

As she passed Orlan, who was stationed behind the captain's wheel, he smiled and nodded towards the horizon. Turning she noticed Bren, standing motionless staring out to sea.

"How did you sleep?" He asked as she stood beside him, his eyes not moving from whatever they were transfixed upon.

"I didn't- not really." She whispered, her eyes drinking in what lay before her. "Is that-?"

"Yes." He replied.

On the horizon, seemingly only a centimetre high was a thin line of brown sandwiched between the sea and the sky.

"Rolezal." She laughed, gripping onto the side of the ship to remind her that jumping off and running across the sea would be a terrible idea as they tried to arrive with a low profile.

"We are three hours away." Orlan announced from behind them.

Bren turned to face her his eyes dancing with glee. "I can't believe we are nearly there- It seemed like an impossible dream we have had for all our lives and now-"His voice cut out and his eyes grew wide as they flickered up and down her body "-You look umm.... Different." He stated his voice numb of emotions.

"Different?" Eboni scoffed. "This is the first time you see me wearing something that is actually not half bad and all you can say is 'different'?" Rolling her eyes, she walked back to the stairwell "-Men" she scoffed as she descended the stairs- intent on telling Iasa the good news.

After a quick knock on Iasa's bedroom door she entered to see the Princess perched on her bed, head to toe in pink, expertly weaving a pink ribbon into her hair.

"Where did you put your ribbon?" She demanded- her eyes narrowing as they took in her limp and unwoven hair.

"I think there are more important things to think about than ribbons- Like the fact that we are three hours away from docking.

"Then you are wrong. Right now, there is absolutely nothing more important than you having a ribbon in your hair- you want to fit in, don't you? Not having a ribbon in your hair will only draw attention to you." Iasa giggled as Eboni was rendered into silence, her mind running through every possible argument against the blasted ribbon- but every time she added Iasa's comebacks and reasoning into the mix- all her arguments fell short.

"That's what I thought- excuse me!" She pushed past Eboni who was still stood in the doorway and flounced into her room, appearing moments later with the green ribbon and a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Just under three hours?" I'll have your hair in a masterpiece in under two!"

Eboni emerged onto deck two hours later- visibly shaken and full of horror over the pain in which the young women of Rolezal put themselves through just to try and look attractive.

As Iasa had pulled and plucked she had gone into great detail about the necessary evil that was the beauty regime. Hair pulled into tight styles, substances smeared onto faces to imitate a natural blush, eyes lined with brightly coloured dyes to enhance eye colour and worst of all holes punched through the skin of the ears to dangle precious gems in order to show status.

She shuddered, clearing her mind from the prejudice that had started to form in her mind.

It was unfair and against all Elementi's teachings to judge people before she had met them. However, hearing what the girls put themselves through In the name of vanity made her think that their brain cells were somewhat lacking.

She walked with Iasa to the side of the ship staring out together in silence. Orlan was talking to Bren by the wheel and by the look on Bren's face they were talking of a serious matter.

"Care to share?" Iasa asked after noticing Eboni's gaze. She sauntered up to the captain's wheel "You both look awfully serious."

Eboni joined them at the wheel as Orlan started to explain. "I was just telling him about our customs, it is something they both should know before they are invited into your social circle." He bowed his head in respect as he answered the Princess's question.

"What do we need to know?" Eboni asked nervously, now worried that she may make a fool out of herself with her lack of preparation.

"As a Sister of the temple you should be referred to as 'Sister' however I think it is wise that we do not alert anyone to your true home- unhelpful questions will start to rise and that will just create problems." Orlan said thinking hard while not taking his eyes off the ocean in front of him.

"Yes, that's probably wise. You shall be known as Lord and Lady. Generic enough and believable as you will both be in my company in the Palace." Iasa agreed "I will make sure to order you both a wardrobe of clothing that will help you both blend in." She grinned mischievously again watching as both Eboni and Bren sighed defeated to the fact that they had to play along- fashion included.

"I will also make sure your rooms are situated close to the Princess's in case we need to make a quick escape again." Orlan stated bluntly as Iasa visibly paled and shuddered. "Once we arrive we should start to plan what we should do in case of emergencies. If the Dark Ones find out, we are all here we need to have an escape plan." They all nodded in agreement.

"I would like to do some research in your library if that is ok, historical documents might be useful in figuring out what's going on." Eboni asked her mind running through the scrolls and texts from the God's Land Library trying to remember any information from them that could be useful.

"I think it would be wise to kit out a larger ship, we have three more people to find and it just about fits us four. Plus- this boat won't weather the southern storms." Bren added looking at the build of the boat.

"I will find one of the unmarked Kings ship for us, have it filled with food and clothing- as well as weaponry- the Ladies have their powers- but I think it wise to be prepared."

Orlan started turning the ships wheel towards the land they had now been sailing next to for a while. Bren walking over to the side to watch as the Port began to draw ever closer. Iasa and Eboni walked to the back of the ship, situating themselves on a wooden bench.

"I know it is not in your nature to behave like a Princess, and that you have been taught to be humble and kind, but when we step of this ship you must play the part. No respectable Lady of Rolezal acts the way you do- please do not take that as an insult" Iasa whispered leaning towards Eboni. "- You have your ways and we have ours, but if we are to convince people that both you and Bren- Lord Bren- are true courtiers then you must follow the rules."

"I understand, from what I have been taught I may not like them all but I can see the importance of keeping up the pretence." Eboni nodded, uncrossing her ankles and copying Iasa's sitting pose. Back straight, ankles together, hands placed clasped on the lap.

Iasa smiled "You will be fine, no one dares speak up against me and someone does it never ends well." She smiled smugly, Eboni mentally rolled her eyes.

After a few minutes of sailing ships of all shapes and sizes began to pass them by, Orlan expertly weaving in out of their paths.

"Ready the Bow Line" He shouted and Bren sprang into action, gathering the rope at front to throw to the waiting Harbour master.

The boat sailed smoothly into an available space, Bren throwing the Line out to the waiting hands before racing to the Stern to do the same. Once secured the men tied the spring line securing the ship tightly to the pontoon, bringing it to rest, the only movement bobbing up and down to the current.

Bren grinned as he made his way to Eboni's side. "We're here."

Travelling to new places is always a fun experience, if you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?