The Price of a Princess

"She left this morning?"

The King's face drained of color, a cold certainty settling in behind his eyes.

"Bring her back. Now." His voice cracked out sharp and immediate.

"Invent whatever reason you need to I don't care what it is, so long as it doesn't tip our hand.

And if she resists, restrain her and drag her back regardless."

"At once, Your Majesty."

The captain of the guard bowed and strode from the hall without another word, already barking orders to his men before the doors had swung shut behind him.

Only then did the King turn back to Kael, something warm finally breaking through the fear still lingering in his expression.

"Young hero if not for you, we would never have caught this in time. My daughter's life, my kingdom's safety, quite possibly the fortress itself. Name your reward. Whatever it is, it's yours."

"Main Quest Progress: The Long Frost Stage Complete."