"I can't believe she agreed to that," Carana whispered to Sarenic.

The two had eaten, bathed, and gotten dressed, then decided another walk was in order.   

"I know, sometimes she surprises me when she agrees to what I would like for her to do," he answered back.

"Then something bad ends up happening," Carana said.

He nodded. "You look beautiful like that."

She stopped. "What are you talking about?"

He too stopped and turned to look at her. "You look beautiful in your white and beige with black."

She knew then he was talking about her clothing. Her shirt was white; the skirt was beige, and the slippers black. "Thanks, you did pick them out, after all."

He nodded taking her arm in his. Her hand wrapped around it and she smiled.

His clothing reflected that of a bad ass.

Black pants, black cut off shirt, black armbands, and dark boots adorned his magnificent male body. It contrasted that of what he'd worn the first day she had met him.

"You don't look so bad yourself," she said softly.

He chuckled, "It's easier to wear this. It makes me feel so much happier."

"But, on a day when it's cooler and the wind blows…"

"I have coats to wear over it too,"

She nodded. "I wanted to go out into the city. I've never been here before. It's strange to me. The castle walls are boring me."

"Why not it'll do us some good."

She laughed, "Thanks so much milord!" she said, letting his arm go to head back to her room.

"What are you doing?" he called in a questioning form.

"I'm going to get my jacket!" she hollered back.

He laughed. "Ok, just don't let my mother catch you bouncing around like that!"

Carana turned to look back at him and holler, "So what if I do bounce a little?" then vanished inside.

Sarenic laughed again. Her attitude towards life fascinated him.

He couldn't wait till the rebellion was over. Then he could finally have her all to himself.

She came running back with a flushed face and a jacket around her shoulders.

"Ready?" he asked, holding his arm out.

She took it with a smile. "Yes m'lord."

"Good, let's go," he said, guiding her out the gates of the palace, to the city beyond.

Their trip into the city made Carana happy. The people greeted the prince in a familiar way. A nod, a smile, and sometimes a simple handshake was exchanged.

Names were given only for Carana's sake, but numbered so many she wouldn't have remembered one of them.

Finally she inched away to look at some of the goods one vendor was selling. The jewelry was beautiful and well crafted.

The prince came over with the vendor and picked up a simple jade stoned necklace, placing it around her neck. He then picked up the same color in a bracelet. The jewelry remained simple.

Carana watched him exchange money with the man and nearly objected when he placed a ring on the ring finger of her left hand.

"Milord…"

His finger pressed to her lips. "Don't call me milord unless you are addressing me in front of my mother. It's too awkward having you say it when you'll be my wife."


"Sarenic, why are you…"

Again he hushed her and answered, "Because I love you and we are getting married."

Carana smiled.

"Enjoy your jewelry milady!" the vendor called after her as she and the prince walked off hand in hand.

Carana looked back for a moment to smile at the vendor then turned her attention back to Sarenic.

Together they walked through vegetable vendors, fruit vendors, and meat vendors. There were vendors for cloth and ones for toys. There were stone vendors and meals-made-ready vendors. There were vendors that sold clothes.

Carana went up to a clothes vendor and picked up some pants. Sarenic came up behind her to point out the clothes she would be expected to wear.

"What about horse back riding?" she asked.

Sarenic smiled. "You'll have to ride side saddle." he answered.

"I'd rather straddle the horse milord," she said, putting the pants back.

He smiled and took her hand to pull her six booths down.

"One for the lady?" the man asked.

Sarenic nodded. Gold was exchanged and he pressed a bouquet of flowers into her hand.  

"Come, time to eat," he said, taking her to the very end of the market to a sit down booth.

Carana sat down with her flowers, waiting for Sarenic to come back with food.

She rather liked the look of the stew and bread she got and ate happily.

- - -

"Sarenic, why were you so good to me today?" Carana asked.

He chuckled, "Because, I love you."

Carana snuggled next to him in the bed.

He wrapped an arm around her and sighed. "I'll be leaving in three days," he whispered to her.

"Do you really have to?" she asked.

"You know I do. I am the leader of this army."

"It's only a rebellion though,"

"Hush now and go to sleep. We can talk more in the morning," Sarenic said in a sleepy voice.

Carana sighed and laced her fingers through his. She soon felt his even breathing against her the back of her neck and felt small tears fall down her bronzed cheeks.