"Yes Father, I know she is the Princess and I am a Royal Guardsmen. I never said that the two of us are courting." Markus snapped at his father, staring him down with an angry expression.

"Don't you raise your voice at your own Father, boy. I don't need you and the Princess getting close and the king becoming suspicious." His father yelled as he struck Markus across the face with his palm. "Now you listen here, you are not going to see the Princess today. You are to come right back here when the day has ended.
 
Markus held his hand against his face where it was struck and glared at his father, "As you wish." He stated simply and walked out, heading to the barracks. As he walked Markus punched a wall, "That insolent jerk! He does not own me, I am my own man and I will do as I damn please." After a few minutes, he appeared in front of the kingdoms barracks. Markus walked in, dawned his dark black royal armor and traveled to the palace, for he had received a message from the king not to long ago. Markus entered the Throne Room and approached the large throne, which in it sat an old deprecated man in royal robes and on his head was a magnificent golden crown. He knelt before the king, "You requested my presents, your Majesty." 

The king looked down at the young knight, "I need you to send a message the the High-Priest that lives in the neighboring kingdom. This is urgent, so do not delay."

"Of course, my Lord" Markus stood as one of the other royal guards handed him a letter. "I will make hast." Markus gave the king a nod and rushed out of the palace. Jumping onto his horse at the stables, he quickly headed toward the neighboring kingdom. Markus glanced at the closed letter, curiously filled him. [i]I wonder what is in this letter that is so urgent.[/i] He thought to himself as he shot down a dirt road on his horse.