Precious Cargo

"The princess will arrive shortly. Are you almost ready?"

It's a two-week journey through the countryside to the rendezvous point set by King Zloto and his entourage. All you have to do is get Princess Acadia there safely. It's a straightforward enough task, but your king's steward has been very particular, and very annoying.

Food, check.
Wagon repair tools, check.
Medicinal supplies, check.
Trinkets to pay off petty bandits, check.

It's a three-wagon caravan. All are identical outside, but inside, one is for the princess, and two are a combination of supplies and your sleeping areas. Playing 3-card monte with the princess has its benefits, as these are some pretty solid wagons. The steward - Tomas Lorraine - continues.

King Auriel has decided in the last moment that I will join you. I expect you will be on your best behaviors. The political solidity of our nation depends on it!

He has apparently assumed rank in this case. Not unusual, but he looks at you with expectation.

Steward Lorraine smiles at Frank, a well-known driver in the city, before his face collapses into utter disgust at Sin's comment.

How dare you so insult the princess! We humans do not just "sell each other for breeding." Such a practice is deplorable! The king Zloto has been in written correspondence with both King Auriel and Princess Acadia for two years now. Politics aside, her heart is as precious cargo as her body!

He huffs.

And a deal is a deal, even with a creature as revolting as yourself. I cannot expect you to understand the nuances of love.

Maybe not love, per se. But lust, greed....anything that could get in the way of this actually being a happy marriage. There's a reason the king chose you.

Tomas is flustered by Frank's....frankness. But before he can protest, he scrambles to attention as the princess steps out of the castle. The parade was three days ago to help the "additional shipment" travel with less issue.

She is a beautiful half-elven woman (on her mother's side), blonde with intense blue eyes. She carries a small bag (not that the carriages aren't already full of her dowry and belongings), a staff that's surely part of her identification, and a floppy, disinterested, fluffy white cat. Her eyes widen and her lips press into a thin line as she surveys the group, nervous, but upon seeing "that kind old man" she controls her expression.

Tomas bows low.

Princess Acadia, it is our honor to serve you in such a joyous faculty.

He glances at you. Apparently he intends to be the first to bow and the last to rise.

It's a 2 week trip, and you make good time for the first day. You'll need to stop to rest outside of a town, because the citizens think the princess is gone already. She spends the entire journey inside her wagon. Occasionally, Tomas makes a comment or shares an anecdote, but it's overall a quiet trip.

You stop for dinner and to camp for the night. Tomas manages a fire and food, giving the first meal to the princess, who still remains inside.

You scout a little ways ahead, nonthreateningly as you can. Soon, rustling and hushed cursing pipes up behind a tree.

They'll see you!

SHHH!