[center][h1]Alison[/h1]
The sun was still rising over the trees as the kingdom of Soir was busy as ever, filled with life from a few villagers throwing the finishing touches on their shops. The black smiths were busy feeding their fires and polishing the metals on swords, arrows, throwing knives, shields, and other weapons. The bakers were busying themselves baking fresh bread, pastries, cakes, and cookies. The jewelers were polishing their rings, bracelets, necklaces, gems, and other jewels. The stable hands were busy cleaning the stalls and laying new bedding down, cleaning all the tack and even bathing the horses - making sure they didn't so much as have a single speck of dirt on them before they tacked up the knights and guards horses who were set to patrol.

As for the knights of the kingdom of Soir, they were sound asleep in bed while their squires took to waking early to shine all their weapons and their armor since their horses were already being taken care of by the stable hands. The guards were busy dressing in the royal colors of royal blue, gold, and black - keeping their clothing crisp as possible before they would leave their rooms and make their way to the stables to collect their mounts that also wore the kingdoms colors. Their mounts manes and tails were carefully braided into tight neat braids that were held together by ribbons of the kingdoms colors, some horses even had the ribbons braided into their tails and manes. The kingdom wasn't trying to show off for their guests, but show that they were a united people.

One race didn't reside inside the kingdom walls, multiple races had learned how to live together - especially since their king and queen were married and in love even though their races were once at war with one another. Those people were all preparing for the festival and tournament in their own ways depending on what their job was, even children were happy to help their parents out with the early morning chores because they knew the sooner the chores were completed the sooner they would be allowed to go play with their friends and watch the tournament. Many rumors had spread throughout the kingdom as to why this festival was being held, some said it was to find the princess a husband while others said it was to hide a treaty signing to prevent a war.

Speaking of the princess, even in the early morning she was awake and active - already dressed with her brunette hair pulled back into a french braid that her long bangs had already fallen free from. Her personal guard, Damon was already standing outside awaiting her since she had managed to convince him into riding around the kingdom grounds with her before the festival got underway and she was to be at her fathers side. Only moments passed before the young woman was slipping out of her room, pulling the door closed behind her before flashing her guard a smile. He was trialing behind her as she moved down the hall, making their way to the stables to collect their mounts for their ride - it would give them a chance to relax before the stress of everything fell onto their shoulders.

It was a short time to the stable and they spent a short period of time there before they mounted up and began toward the front of the kingdom gates, their ride was quiet beside the few morning greetings they exchanged with some of the villagers and shop owners. Soon enough, competitors began to arrive - meaning soon their ride would need to end. But there was still time and the princess wasn't too willing to return to her room just yet, only a few kingdoms had arrived and there was at least five more to come - only two had arrived so far. The kingdom that was really the talk of the village, that had been heard in most of the rumors was the kingdom of Keratia and their prince. However, the princess wasn't willing to feed into these rumors of the prince until she met him face to face.[/center]