The maid noticed the princess looking back to her, and she shrugged.  She wasn't one of these military career people - she was simply a maid.  The half hour figure probably seemed a little rushed, and it was obvious the rather naïve princess didn't appreciate the notion of leaving them behind, but she understood it somewhat from a tactical perspective at least.

[color=whitesmoke]"Your highness, they ... they are being wise in this case.  I think it is best that we trust their expertise here - we'll all be safer for it."[/color]  She hoped the words would comfort the princess, and hopefully placing a caring hand on her lower back wouldn't make her feel so exposed.  [color=whitesmoke]"Everything should be fine, my Princess."[/color]

The sword of course remained silent, not seeming opposed to the current course of action.

[hr]

As Valora, Prescott, and Tripp approached the castle they would see a small door on the front shielded from the outside by the design of the building embedded into a circular gate - and a severe lack of windows compared to the princess' home palace.  Where the few murder holes and arrow slits were, it was easily to tell that a sheet of metal covered the small entrances inside the castle.

A single guard out front, looking at the group as they approached.  He knocked a few times on the door before approaching with the attentive nervousness that anyone who risked their life would have.  [b]"You there ...!"[/b]  The man blinked as if surprised.  [b]"... Not brigands, I hope?"[/b]