Finally and completely beaten, Theobold could only nod his head, weakly, in agreement.

"Then take yer tired, old body from me sight," she ordered, and turned her back on the priest. The guards also turned their backs on him--a final insult; it meant that he was now considered so insignificant that they no longer felt he was any further threat to them or to the princess.

Theobold, sniffing back the feeling of shame and humiliation that overwhelmed him, but vowing silent revenge, turned and with his dreams crushed, left the chamber and eventually, along with the other priests of the One Faith, Stanyshaul itself.

Two days later, leaving the humdrum tasks of the kingdom temporarily in the capable hands of the advisors her father had previously left in charge, Princess Irayan, riding at the head of her warrior army, led them to join forces with King Kroydon and a reunion with a father she had not seen in nearly twelve years. Without knowing it, on that fateful day, she was also riding toward a series of adventures she could never have dreamed of...

To be continued...?