"We aren't getting punished?" Victoria questioned as she made her way, being towed by Felix, toward the Kings throne room. There were servants and knights everywhere, just watching the two as they walked. All of the eyes were starting to make Victoria nervous, the grip she had on Felix's hand tightened a bit and she inched closer to him. "What does the King want with us?" She mused as they walked through to large wooden double doors. Stepping inside Victoria's jaw dropped, she had never seen the inside of throne room before. But, she had dreamed about it often, wondering if the floors were really plated in gold. Looking down, she noted that they weren't, and just the normal marble floor that was found throughout the castle was here as well.
Looking around the room, there were the men and women of the court. Some of them she had seen, having often been the one to deliver food to their rooms. Stopping short she looked to Felix then up, toward the King. Biting on her lip she quickly bowed. "You're highness." She said, not once did her hand leave Felix's.

Felix marveled at the size of the Throne Room, he's been in the room before, but it never ceased to amaze him. He looked at the king bowing a bit, "You summoned us, My lord." The king nodded, "Yes, it seems you two have made quite a bustle when you seemed to disappear from the palace." The king smiled a tad, "Usually I would just let the guards deal with you, but you Felix are an exception. And Victoria, you too have been made an exception for you chose to be a companion of this, soon-to-be-knight." Felix's eyes had a look of question, "I do not wish to interrupt, but what makes me an exception. And what do you mean soon-to-be-knight, you kept refusing me the chance to prove my worth." He king chuckled, "You are the source of most of the trouble around here Felix, your stunts are the reason I held you from your first quest. I wanted to see how you would react to being repeatedly denied, you're different then other knights. Where they have more strength, you have more tactic. And luckily I have just thought of a quest that will fit the both of you." The king raised his hand and a guard walked up to Felix giving him a letter. "I want you and Victoria to take a carriage of supplies to a near by kingdom, the information you need is in that letter and the carriage is by the gates." The king lastly waved his hand at them, "Now go and complete this, your reward will be waiting."

As they walked out of the Throne room Felix scanned over the letter, "Can you believe this! I'm gonna be a knight!" He looked over at Victoria and smiled, "Do you need to do anything before we leave? Say goodbye to anyone or grab anything. We'll probably be gone for a while." He spoke as they stopped just outside the entrance to the palace. He couldn't believe he was going to be a knight. A small voice also constantly nagged him, how did he have more tactics then a normal knight? He was just a knight-in-training. He didn't know much about combat situations.

Victoria hadn't said a word since the King spoke, even now standing at the palace gates she didn't say anything. Biting on her lip she looked at the carriage, then to Felix, then to the palace. "Wh-" She started before starting to cry. I suppose being in shock that the King had chosen her and Felix to take this carriage was a bit much to handle, but having to leave so soon scared her. She had never been far from home, more a less the journey from her house to the palace was the farthest she's ever gone.
Biting on her lip she turned to look at Felix and tried to force a smile. "I guess, uhh, I guess I should go home and pack a few things." She said before she started to pace the ground. "Why, why does the King want me to go? I'm nothing special. Nothing at all, at-least you have a reason to go. You'll become a knight after all of this is done. I..I'm just going to end up back in the kitchen. Or the stables." Victoria stopped her pacing and she looked at Felix. "I..I'm scared Felix. I can't do something like this."

Felix felt bad, he never really asked what she thought about going. He walked up to her and hugged her tightly, "Now, you listen to me. You are too special and you can do this." He loosened his grip looking into Victoria's eyes, "It's going to be fine, I'm sure the king wouldn't want you to go if he didn't have a reason. And besides, I'll be with you through the whole thing." He let go of her and patted the top of her head, "Come on, let's go get you packed up okay?" He smiled reassuringly. He was excited to get going, but he made it his goal to move at her pace. He could understand her not wanting to go, being that she probably has never left the kingdom. But no matter what he would never leave her behind and would always be there when she needed him.

Victoria wrapped her arms tight around him and sighed. He had been so nice to her today, it was mostly her fault that they were even in this mess to begin with. When he patted the top of her head the girl blushed then sighed. Wiping at her tears she smiled a bit, "Okay, my..my house isn't to far from here." She said before starting to walk toward where she lived. The first thing she thought of were what her father and her brothers were going to say. I suppose the fact that she was going to be with a knight would make things easier.
Coming up to the small wooden house she pushed her way inside and was greeted by three smiling faces. "Hey there Vicky!" One of the men in the room said. Walking up to her he stopped and furrowed his brow. "Hey, what's wrong?" He questioned then looked behind her at Felix. "Are you in trouble? What's going on?" Victoria put her hands up to silence her brother and then explained the days happenings. "So, now after all of that, the King wants me and Felix to take the carraige across the kingdom." When she finished her father turned to Felix and frowned. "You're taking her across the kingdom? You're a-little scrawny aren't you."

Felix was shocked at the first words Victoria's father said to him. He laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head, "Well, I guess I am a bit smaller than the other knights." He smiled trying to reassure her father that just because he was small doesn't mean he couldn't handle himself. "I'm sorry to have to take your daughter away like this, I really wish she didn't have to leave her family." He looked over at Victoria for a second and then back at her father, "But I promise she is in good hands." He bowed slightly to him showing the respect the man deserved. As he waited for the young girl to say her goodbyes and pack her stuff he stayed near the front door, not wanting to intrude or get in the way of anyone. "It's a lovely place you have here sir." Felix tried to be as friendly as possible in hopes that he could gain the mans trust.

As Victoria went with one of her younger brothers to finish packing her father looked at Felix. Smiling a bit at his comment he looked around the house. "Thank ya son, haven't changed it since her mother passed." He said then looked at Victoria as she back from her room. Wiping at a few tears, along with her siblings, she rushed up to her father and hugged him. "I'm going to miss you.." She said before pulling back, he kissed her forehead then looked to Felix. "If she doesn't come back, it will be your end." He said before watching as the pair walked from the house.
Victoria clutched onto her bag as she walked with Felix back toward the carriage. "Well, I guess we should be off." She said setting her things in the carriage then picking up the letter that was given to Felix. "How long is it supposed to take us to get there?" Victoria asked before turning her attention back to the knight she would be riding with.

Felix nodded at her father as they walked to the carriage. "Yeah, I guess this is it." He looked over to Victoria, who was holding the letter, "It's about a months journey out, but that's with no complications. At most maybe two, two and a halve months." He walked up to her putting a hand on her shoulder, "Are you sure you're okay? I don't want to rush you into this, I know it's difficult to leave your family behind." He tilted his head slightly looking at the young peasant. Felix new he was excited to get going, to leave the kingdom walls by himself, well not all by himself. But none the less he couldn't wait to start this, but he knew that Victoria was not so excited. She was going to leave everything behind, with a knight she had just met today. He sighed a bit under his breath, he was worried about the poor girl.

Victoria swallowed the hard lump that had formed in her throat and then turned to look at the house she grew up in. Biting on her lip she fought the urge to run back to the comfort of her family and never leave. But, she had a duty to the king to do. And she would be back, yes it would be two months from now, but she would be back. Taking a deep breath she looked at Felix and genuinely smiled, it was small, but it was a smile none the less. "Let's get going." She said before climbing up into the drivers seat, looking down at Felix she sighed waiting for him to join her. Putting a hand to her chest she felt for the small metal charm her brother had given her before she left the house, closing her eyes she said a soft prayer. "I'm ready." She said again opening her eyes. "Well Felix. What are you waiting for? Let's get going."

Felix smiled at her and nodded as he jumped up onto the carriage and sat down next to her. Before they left he looked back at the town and the palace, "See you later." He said quietly to himself. He took a deep breath in and nodded, "Alright, let's get started." He maybe excited, but the young knight started to worry if he was really ready for this. Sure the king thought so, but what if he gets overwhelmed? What is he can't protect Victoria? He shook the thoughts from his head as he glanced over at the young girl and smiled. At least he won't be alone, peasant or not, he was glad someone was there with him. "So," Felix turned to Victoria, "Are you excited to see life outside the walls?"

Victoria had to think for a moment more as the carriage started to move. They were actually leaving the kingdom, this was actually happening. As the reality set in that all of this wasn't just some crazy dream. Victoria started to get more and more excited. Biting on her lip she turned and watched as the castle walls, and the village started to disapper from view. Looking back at Felix when he asked her a question, a genuine smile and look of excitement were on her face. "Actually, I am. I've always wondered what its like outside the palace." She starting to bounce a bit in her seat.

Felix chuckled as the young peasant bounced in her seat in excitement. This was it, no turning back now. He looked around them as they traveled watching as trees, animals, and other things from nature slowly past them. A smile grew on the young knights face, as he saw a small squirrel run up a tree. Felix always thought the world was such a beautiful place. It was sad that some people didn't see the beauty in it like he did. He looked back at Victoria, watching her slightly with a smile on his face. The young knight was glad she was able to come, besides just for the company, he was able to escort her through a place she had never been through. "Your family seemed nice." He tried to start up a conversation as a way to pass the time. "The sure care about you a lot."

Victoria watched as the animals scurried back and forth between the trees. Looking up to the sky only to see the birds flying among the clouds. Letting her eyes slip shut she took in a deep breath. So this is fresh air She thought before hearing Felix's voice brought her back to reality. Pressing a hand to the charm around her neck she smiled. "Yea, they are..sometimes." She said laughing a bit. "I'm the only girl in the family...my father and my brothers have all been really protective of me. Since my mother died at least." She said looking down at her hands, then casting her gaze up toward the sky. "My mother would have loved to go on a journey like this."

Felix looked at Victoria, "So your mother died too? My mother died when I was 10, but I never had a supportive father like you do. My father forced me to join the legion. I never wanted to be a knight to be honest." His expression changed to one of determination, "The only reason I want to be a knight, is to show everyone that even someone like me can become great." He thought back to when he was young, his father continually beating him, telling him he wasn't going to accomplish anything. But look at him now, going on a mission to prove he was ready to be a full-fledged knight. Some one worthy of protecting the king. A slight smirk appeared on his face as he looked down the road. I told you I could do it... Father.

Victoria glanced at Felix as he spoke, "Really? I...I'm sorry." She said softly. "So you want to be a knight, to try and prove your father wrong." Shrugging her shoulders the girls smiled. "I guess in a way that's a noble cause," Victoria said giggling a bit.
After a few more hours had passed Victoria looked back over to the trees that were slowy passing by, her eyes lit up as they scanned over a small valley. "Oh Felix look! Wild flowers, can I stop and pick some? Please?" She questioned. They had been riding for awhile by this point, getting down and stretching their legs wouldn't cause any harm. "I promise I'll be quick about it."

Felix smiled at her reaction to the flowers and chuckled a bit, "We are in no rush, if you want to stop for a little while we can." To be honest he was hoping to take a break. Riding on a carriage for as long as they have made his body stiff and he needed to stretch his legs a bit. They stopped and the young knight hopped off, walking to the other side of the carriage and reached a hand up to Victoria so he could help her down. "If you want we can rest here for a bit." Felix helped the young girl off the carriage gently and smiled at her. He walked to the back of the carriage where a small bag was strapped on and pulled two carrots out of it. He then went up to the horses that had the burden of pulling them to there destination and fed them gently patting each one on the snout and smiling a little.

Smiling from ear to ear she took Felix's hand and climbed down off the carriage. Picking up her skirts she quickly ran down into the valley, laughing and smiling as she went. Looking around at all the flowers she took in a deep breath, Victoria loved this smell. It reminded her of her mother, of some oils she had made after her father came back from a long trip. The girl remembered watching her mother soak the flowers in a hot wax, making their whole home smell of wild flowers. With some left over flowers Victoria's mother had taught her how to weave them into a crown. Setting herself down among the flowers she started to pick them, gathering them up into the apron of her skirt.

Felix chuckled to himself as he watched Victoria pick flowers. After feeding the horses he walked up to a near by tree and leaned against it, keeping an eye on both the carriage and Victoria. He smiled a little watching her, a feeling of peace and happiness washed over him. A feeling he had only felt around his mother, before she passed. It made him think back, remembering the fun times he had with his mother out in the fields picking fruit and then going home to help her in the kitchen. One of the horses whinnied at Felix shaking it's head a little in his direction. "Oh come on, don't be ridiculous. I'm just making sure she's safe." The horse huffed at him, "How would you know? You just a horse after all." It turned it's head away from him, "I didn't mean it like that." The young knight sighed, "Man you horses are sensitive." He chuckled a little as the horsed huffed at him again.

When Victoria had finished gathering up as many flowers as she could she started to make her way back to the carriage. Looking up at Felix she knitted her brows together. "So, you talk to horses now?" She questioned before setting the flowers down in the grass by where they stood. "Are you two at-least playing nice?" She questioned going to the horse and rubbing his snout. Smiling as the horsed huffed at her she smiled. "How much further do you want to go before we make camp?" Victoria mused before looking to the sky. It would be getting dark soon, and to be honest Victoria didn't know how safe it would be to sleep out in the open, maybe the pair could make it to a village before sundown.

"The horse talked to me first." Felix joked as walked over smiling, "There should be a village not far from here, but it would be quite late when we would arrive. So our choices are set up camp here or risk riding during the night so we can get to the village." He looked over at Victoria, "Personally I'm in favor of the first option, it leaves us less open to bandit raids." He shivered a bit at the thought of bandits. The last time he ran into one was when his mother died. He was with her coming back from gathering some berries outside the kingdom walls when a band of two or three bandits appeared out of the trees. They tried to take attack Felix so they could make sure no one was alive to witness them taking his mother for slave trading, when his mother got in the way of the attacking bandit, who cut a deep gouge into her neck, killing her instantly. Felix was able to get away, but he was forced to leave his mothers body, which was never found after the attack. He shook the thoughts from his head, a tear fell down his cheek.