Funny how some people embrace tradition while others look at ways to bend it. Not that Aqua truly hated her role and destiny, but there were some aspects of it that left her feeling almost incomplete. After all, the grass is usually greener on the other side. Although if a noble tells anyone that, they may very well get laughed at.
It isn't that Aqua had trouble with being a royal. Her people were kind and gracious in their own ways, and she loved just about any and every chance to meet them. She wasn't bad at diplomacy or the handling of issues her people were experiencing. If anything her advisors just chalked it up to inexperience, but claimed and reassured the princess that she was doing well.
No. It actually wasn't until her early teens when she actually watched the knights practice their training and witnessed first hand the results of said training. Not just tournament performances. Not just reports on what happened. A small group that aimed to raid the marketplace while the princess was making a visit encountered a handful of paladins. Watching them skillfully take down the raiding group inspired the young princess. Royals may govern the people and make the rules, but the men that dispatched the invaders were the real heroes.
Of course, girls weren't allowed. And a princess joining the knights? Absolutely out of the question. It was disheartening to hear the ruling from her own father's lips, and Aqua did her best to respect it, but it was hard. Incredibly so.
Especially when shortly after, that small raiding party returned after they left with their tail between their legs. But this time, bringing friends and allies and aimed to lay waste to the castle and her country.
It was only the skill and cleverness of one of the knights that Aqua even made it out alive the night that the castle walls fell. Separated from her parents and advisors, everyone she knew, the one knight had her smuggled out of the city without much of a plan and only a small purse to her name. It was hasty and messy and after hearing the news about how decimated her country and home was thereafter, regretful. So many lives lost. Her family mercilessly killed. Maybe if she knew more, could do more, the outcome would be different.
It's the thought that drove Aqua for nearly ten years as she wandered around the other nations and countries. Without rules to follow, she took up a sword and trained herself, as still no master would take her under their wing. Tamed a horse to be her loyal steed. A lot of the things she couldn't do before were now available to her. But at what cost? Her home was gone and once the invading force found that the princess wasn't among the deceased, a bounty was soon placed on her head.
Maybe she was better off dead? No. Those thoughts don't even cross her mind. She would make the most of what she had, and help as much as she can.
Unfortunately, that does lead her to some rather suspicious places, much like the pub. Keeping her hood up to hide her hair (a natural bright blue. a sign of royalty) and a cloth covering most of her face, these establishments are places she would be advised to avoid. And yet here she is. But even wandering lost princesses need a break from time to time.
Especially when interesting folk come in. Aqua already has a table along the wall when a much taller man, cloaked figure comes through. Something about the way he holds himself, even physically, catches her attention and she can't help but make eye contact.
....I am so sorry this is so long
It isn't that Aqua had trouble with being a royal. Her people were kind and gracious in their own ways, and she loved just about any and every chance to meet them. She wasn't bad at diplomacy or the handling of issues her people were experiencing. If anything her advisors just chalked it up to inexperience, but claimed and reassured the princess that she was doing well.
No. It actually wasn't until her early teens when she actually watched the knights practice their training and witnessed first hand the results of said training. Not just tournament performances. Not just reports on what happened. A small group that aimed to raid the marketplace while the princess was making a visit encountered a handful of paladins. Watching them skillfully take down the raiding group inspired the young princess. Royals may govern the people and make the rules, but the men that dispatched the invaders were the real heroes.
Of course, girls weren't allowed. And a princess joining the knights? Absolutely out of the question. It was disheartening to hear the ruling from her own father's lips, and Aqua did her best to respect it, but it was hard. Incredibly so.
Especially when shortly after, that small raiding party returned after they left with their tail between their legs. But this time, bringing friends and allies and aimed to lay waste to the castle and her country.
It was only the skill and cleverness of one of the knights that Aqua even made it out alive the night that the castle walls fell. Separated from her parents and advisors, everyone she knew, the one knight had her smuggled out of the city without much of a plan and only a small purse to her name. It was hasty and messy and after hearing the news about how decimated her country and home was thereafter, regretful. So many lives lost. Her family mercilessly killed. Maybe if she knew more, could do more, the outcome would be different.
It's the thought that drove Aqua for nearly ten years as she wandered around the other nations and countries. Without rules to follow, she took up a sword and trained herself, as still no master would take her under their wing. Tamed a horse to be her loyal steed. A lot of the things she couldn't do before were now available to her. But at what cost? Her home was gone and once the invading force found that the princess wasn't among the deceased, a bounty was soon placed on her head.
Maybe she was better off dead? No. Those thoughts don't even cross her mind. She would make the most of what she had, and help as much as she can.
Unfortunately, that does lead her to some rather suspicious places, much like the pub. Keeping her hood up to hide her hair (a natural bright blue. a sign of royalty) and a cloth covering most of her face, these establishments are places she would be advised to avoid. And yet here she is. But even wandering lost princesses need a break from time to time.
Especially when interesting folk come in. Aqua already has a table along the wall when a much taller man, cloaked figure comes through. Something about the way he holds himself, even physically, catches her attention and she can't help but make eye contact.