Sam turned at the sound of a voicing calling out to August and saw a striking young man riding up to them. A ways behind him was about twenty or so more people on horseback and a few more horses carrying supplies. As the brown haired, brown eyed young man drew nearer Sam studied his face a moment more and knew, without needing to be told by Dorothea or August, that this was Liam. Dorothea's prince.

Her heart seemed to skip a beat and she wanted to speak, to say something. Tell him everything. That Dorothea was right in front of him, that this was all a trick. But when the prince stopped in front of them and she was faced with proper royalty for the first time in her life, Sam felt rather intimidated. She had no idea how to act in front of and speak to royalty. She could speak to Dorothea with ease but because the princess did not look like a princess. She was a cat. Much more approachable than this handsome young man who seemed to radiate nobility. He was dressed in chain mail and light armor and the colors and crest of his kingdom, and he sat tall and proud on his horse. But there was also kindness in his eyes, and she remembered what Dorothea had told her about him. Sam opened her mouth as though to speak, but then August started talking and the words faded from her before she had a chance to speak them. 

~~~

Liam nodded as the Marshal spoke. He didn't feel the need to ask for more explanation, nor did he feel like he need to question his account for where he had been. Liam didn't have any reason to doubt the man at all. "Yes. It is true. I saw what remained of her caravan myself." It took all of his self control to keep his voice from cracking, to keep it from betraying to amount of pain and desperation he was feeling. "But I'm glad to see that you're still in one piece. And that you'll be joining us. It's good to have you on my side, Marshal. I may need you."

He finally gave the girl the Marshal was traveling with a proper look as sh was introduced. Liam looked a little taken aback as he studied her rather peculiar and ragged appearance. Her red hair was tangled, her pretty face exhausted and smudged with dirt, and she was wearing the strangest garments. Including pants. She also stood rather awkwardly, as though unsure of herself or what to do. She hadn't bowed. Not that it mattered much to him personally, but he was so used to people bowing. However when the Marshal stated that she had been held captive Liam's face changed from puzzlement to sympathy. And understanding, as if the explanation explained everything that was peculiar.

"Of course, Marshal," Liam said before looking at Samantha Shea with a smile. It was kind and generous and genuine. "I'm so sorry that you had to go through that ordeal, Miss Shea. But you're safe now, and I would be honored if you joined us." 

"Thank you," Samantha said, finally bowing. Although the movement looked foreign to her.

Liam gave her another smile before looking back to his caravan, which had gotten closer. "Will! Send up a free horse!" He looked back at the two and smiled apologetically. "We don't have very many extra horses, I'm afraid. You two will have to share one." Will arrived, pulling the other horse alongside him. The rest of the caravan had approached close behind and Liam looked at them all. "You all know Marshal Derrick. And this is Miss Samantha Shea. They will both be joining us to Verinia," he announced clearly as Will handed the Marshal the reins to the horse he had to share with Samantha.