"Tomorrow morning" turned into "two days later" with remarkable speed.
Adrian had underestimated the logistics of bringing a princess, her guardian, and a royal high knight to the northern border. There were travel arrangements to coordinate, proper gear to acquire, supplies to organize, and approximately seventeen different palace officials who needed to approve various aspects of the journey.
By the second day of preparation, Adrian had given up trying to hurry the process and accepted that royal travel operated on its own timeline.
He spent the waiting time with Finn and Edric, knowing their paths would diverge—at least for now.
They met at a tavern near the academy grounds, the same establishment where they'd celebrated victories and commiserated defeats throughout the tournament year. It felt appropriate for goodbyes, even temporary ones.
"So," Edric said, raising his cup in mock toast, "you're taking the princess to your family's demon-infested border fortress. That's definitely how romance stories usually progress."
"It's training," Adrian protested. "Combat experience. Nothing romantic about fighting demons."
"Sure. Keep telling yourself that." Edric grinned. "Meanwhile, you'll be spending two and a half months showing her your home, teaching her to survive, probably having dramatically meaningful moments during life-threatening situations—"
"You've been reading too many romance novels," Finn observed.
"Have not."
"You literally just described the plot of 'The Knight's Promise' word for word."
"That was coincidence."
Adrian shook his head, smiling despite himself. "I'm going to miss this. Your ridiculous commentary on everything."
"I prefer to think of it as insightful social observation," Edric replied, though his expression turned more serious. "But yes. I'll miss this too. Year of training together, tournament, all the chaos. Felt like we'd just figured out how to work as team."
"We'll meet again," Finn said with characteristic certainty. "Whichever academies accept us, there are joint exercises, tournaments, cooperative missions. This isn't final goodbye—just temporary divergence."
"Look at you being optimistic," Edric teased. "Usually you're all cold logic and tactical analysis."
"I'm being logical. The probability of us never meeting again is extremely low given academy interaction patterns and our demonstrated capabilities."
"See? Even your optimism sounds like mathematical theorem."
They sat in comfortable silence for moment, processing the year behind and uncertain future ahead.
"We should write," Adrian suggested. "Letters. Keeping each other informed about where we end up, what training's like, whether the academies are as demanding as everyone claims."
"Agreed," Finn said immediately. "Regular correspondence would be valuable. Plus, comparing academy methodologies could provide useful insights."
"I want details about Northwatch," Edric added. "Especially the parts where Adrian tries to teach a princess to fight demons while pretending he doesn't have feelings for her. That sounds entertaining."
"I don't—we're not—it's just training—"
"There it is. That flustered denial. I'm going to miss that most of all."
Adrian threw a piece of bread at him. Edric caught it, grinned, took a bite.
"Seriously though," Edric continued, "take care of yourself up there. I know you grew up on the border, know how to handle demons. But you'll have extra responsibility now. Protecting Alice, teaching Mira, making sure the high knight doesn't think Blackthorn hospitality means throwing him directly at demon hordes."
"I'll manage."
"I know you will. Just... be careful. You've got people who care about you. Would be inconvenient if you died heroically before we could meet again."
"I'll do my best to avoid heroic death."
"Appreciated."
Finn raised his own cup. "To temporary divergence and eventual reunion. May we all receive academy offers worth accepting."
"To friendship that survives distance and different training paths," Edric added.
"To figuring out what comes next," Adrian finished.
They drank, the moment carrying weight despite their attempts to keep it light. A year together. Bonds forged through shared trials. And now, different paths—at least for a while.
"When you write," Finn said, "include tactical details about demon combat. I'm curious how border defense differs from tournament training."
"When you write," Edric countered, "include embarrassing stories about Adrian and Alice. I need entertainment."
"I hate both of you."
"No you don't," they replied in unison.
Adrian smiled. "No. I really don't."
Two days after the courtyard announcement, everything was finally ready.
Adrian waited in the palace courtyard where their travel party would assemble. Proper gear had been acquired—sturdy leather armor more practical than ceremonial, weapons balanced for actual combat rather than tournament display, supplies packed for week-long journey through terrain that grew progressively more dangerous as they approached the border.
Alice arrived first, and Adrian barely recognized her. Gone was the elegant princess gown or tournament finery. Instead, she wore practical travel leathers, hair bound back for functionality rather than courtly fashion, a proper sword belted at her hip that looked well-made if relatively new.
She caught his expression. "What?"
"Nothing. Just... different seeing you in actual travel gear rather than formal wear."
"This is what I should have been wearing all along," Alice replied. "Court fashion is beautiful but utterly impractical for anything except standing around looking decorative."
Mira appeared next, similarly equipped. The guardian's gear looked more worn—armor that had seen actual use, weapons maintained with care of someone who relied on them. Her orange flame flickered briefly as she approached, checking readiness.
"Your Highness. Adrian." Mira's greeting was professional despite knowing both well. "We're as prepared as possible given the circumstances."
"Circumstances being that we're traveling to active war zone for training?" Alice asked dryly.
"Precisely."
Movement at the courtyard's entrance drew their attention. A man approached—older than Lucien but younger than Dorian, carrying himself with the absolute confidence that came from being among Arathor's most distinguished warriors. His armor bore the royal guard's insignia, but the quality and craftsmanship marked him as far above standard knights. Scars marked his visible skin like badges of honor, and his eyes carried the awareness of someone who'd faced death countless times and walked away victorious.
"Princess Alice. Guardian Mira." His voice was measured, carrying authority earned through decades of proven excellence. "Adrian Blackthorn, I presume?"
"Yes, sir," Adrian replied, suddenly very aware he was addressing someone far above his current station.
"High Knight Garrick of the Arathor Royal Guard." He extended his hand, which Adrian took with appropriate respect. The grip was firm, assessing—testing character through simple gesture. "I'm told I'll be accompanying you to Northwatch as instructor and additional defense capability."
Adrian tried not to show his surprise. A High Knight? The king had sent one of Arathor's most elite warriors—someone who'd surpassed knight and knight-captain ranks to achieve a position only a handful in the entire kingdom held. This was far more significant support than he'd expected.
"We're honored by your presence," Adrian said carefully, choosing words with more weight than his earlier greeting.
"His Majesty was quite specific in his instructions," Garrick said, his tone carrying the weight of royal command. "The princess is to receive genuine combat training in a controlled manner. I'm to ensure her safety while not interfering with the educational value of the experience. And I'm to assist Baron Blackthorn's forces in whatever capacity proves useful." He paused. "The king was very clear that his daughter's safety is paramount, but that coddling her would defeat the purpose of this journey."
"That sounds like my father," Alice muttered.
"He cares deeply," Garrick replied without judgment. "Which is why he sent me rather than someone less experienced. He trusts I can balance protection with proper instruction."
"Have you fought demons before?" Mira asked, then seemed to realize she was questioning a High Knight's experience. "Sir."
"Extensively. Spent five years at the eastern border early in my career, another three at the western reaches during the incursion crisis. Demons there differ from northern varieties, but principles of fighting them remain constant." He paused, eyes showing distant memory of hard-won knowledge. "Though I understand northern demons are particularly aggressive and numerous. Should be interesting to see how Blackthorn forces have adapted."
"Interesting is one word for it," Adrian agreed.
"Terrifying is another," Alice added.
"That too. Though terror becomes routine after enough exposure. You'll learn."
Their travel preparations were extensive—three horses for Alice, Mira, and Garrick, plus pack animals for supplies. Adrian had his own mount, a sturdy northern breed used to rough terrain. Everything was organized with military precision, supplies calculated for week-long journey with buffer for delays.
As they prepared to depart, Alice moved closer to Adrian, voice low enough that only he could hear. "My father sent a High Knight. That's... significant."
"I noticed," Adrian replied quietly. "There are maybe twenty High Knights in all of Arathor. Your father's taking your training seriously."
"Or he's terrified I'll die at the border and wants to ensure maximum protection." Alice's tone was dry but carried understanding of her father's position. "Probably both."
"Garrick's presence will help. That level of experience and skill—Northwatch doesn't usually see warriors of his caliber except during major incursions."
"Your family already left for Northwatch?" Alice asked, changing subject.
"The night after the castle visit," Adrian confirmed. "Father wanted to return quickly—can't leave border command too long without leadership present."
"How long will it take us to reach Northwatch?" Alice asked. "I know it's north, obviously, but actual distance..."
"About a week with steady pace," Adrian replied. "Could be faster if we pushed hard, but that would exhaust the horses and leave us vulnerable if we encounter problems. Week is standard timeline—allows for rest, accounts for terrain difficulty as we get closer to border."
"A week," Alice repeated, processing. "That's... far."
"Northwatch is the kingdom's northernmost major defensive position. It's meant to be far—creates buffer between demons and populated areas." Adrian checked his horse's saddle rigging. "First few days are easy—established roads, towns for rest. Gets harder after that. Less civilization, more wild terrain, increased demon activity."
"When do we need to start worrying about actual threats?" Mira asked.
"Day four or five usually. Depends on demon activity patterns. Sometimes they range farther south, sometimes stay concentrated near border. We'll know better as we travel."
High Knight Garrick joined them, having finished his own preparations. "We should depart soon. Morning travel is safest—full day of light before needing to make camp."
"Agreed," Adrian said, then added, "Sir."
Garrick's expression suggested faint amusement at the formality but didn't correct it. Adrian represented their guide to Northwatch—local knowledge trumped military rank in unfamiliar territory.
They mounted—Alice with slightly uncertain grace that suggested limited riding experience, Mira with practiced efficiency, Garrick with the ease of someone who'd spent decades in saddle across various campaigns. Adrian took point position, knowing the route by heart from years of travel between Northwatch and the capital.
As they prepared to ride out, Alice looked back at the palace—home for her entire life, comfort and safety embodied in white stone walls. Then forward, toward the north road and everything it represented.
Uncertainty. Danger. Real training that would test her in ways tournament never had.
And Adrian, who'd promised to teach her how to survive what was coming, now with one of Arathor's most elite warriors watching to ensure he delivered on that promise.
"Ready?" Adrian asked.
Alice took a breath, then nodded. "Ready."
They rode out as morning sun climbed higher, four warriors heading north toward border where demons waited. A High Knight whose skill was legendary. A guardian sworn to protection. A princess seeking real capability. And a fifteen-year-old who carried secrets of three lifetimes, now responsible for teaching what he'd learned through centuries of dying and returning.
A week of travel ahead.
Then two and a half months at Northwatch, learning what defense actually meant.
The journey had begun.