Five months had passed from the visit of Ujarmas envoy to their neighboring country. It was time for Princess Lola to depart on a journey to Dali. All the preparation were done. Fourteen well dressed soldiers in Ujarmas golden colored uniforms, with red scarfs tied around their waists and swords hanging on it, were mounting fourteen chestnut colored horses. They were assembled around three carriages, with Ujarmas official emblems on the doors. Two were for the luggage of the Princess and her escorts and one for the Princess to ride in when entering the capital of Dali - Sasashi. Lola knew that for a Princess to travel to another country, with less than seven carriages was inappropriate, let alone giving up one of them for the luggage of a mere servants. Even so she did not want to take such extra baggage on such a long road. It would only slow them down, but most importantly she did not need to prove anything to anyone with this wasteful and empty gesture. How bad could it really be for a Princess to enter with three carriages? She would have to find that out the hard way. Two women were chosen as lady's in Waiting for Lola. Ujarma never had such a tradition, but it was necessary for women to be escorted on a daily basis in all the other countries. So to not embarrass the Princess, two of the best girls, close to her age were selected. The horses were digging their hoofs into the ground and flaring their nostrils, ready to take of any second now.
"Do your remember everything? Do not dress yourself like you used to. Let Haer and Shali take care of you. Be careful ok? Try not to attract a lot of attention." The Queen was advising and nervously fixing Lolas clothes. Tears came to her eyes. She could not hold it in anymore and hugged her sweet little angel tightly.
Lola smiles and hugged her back. "Don't worry mother. You know me, I will be alright."
"We know, that's the only reason were doing this. If we did not believe in you, we would not be sending you to a lines den willingly." Spoke the King while placing his hand on the Queens back, giving her a sense of security.
Lola looked up at her father. Despite his confident words she could see fear and uncertainty in his soft, kind eyes. Her brothers on the other hand were crying openly, without caring about anyone or anything. The soldiers were uncomfortably looking away. This were their strong and feared army Generals sobbing in public. Lola's little nephews were also crying pitifully into their mothers sleeves. Everyone was unimaginable sad. Only Lola stood there unfazed by it all. How could she be calm while parting with the people she loved most in the world and going alone on this scary journey. But she wasn't scared of this unknown country and it's people. The thing she feared most was parting with the freedom, this sand covered beautiful land provided her each and every day. No more riding the horse trying to outrun the wind itself, no more walks on the small streets of Alucha, unaccompanied by anyone and swimming in the cascading waterfalls of Gudari lake. She was devastated, but had to stay strong for her families sake.
Princess Lola hugged them all and when she finally managed to escape this hug which was about to choke the life out of her in the name of love, she looked at them with tears in her eyes and spoke. "It will be alright. This is Not a goodbye forever. I will see you again on my wedding in seven months and I promise to show you on that day, that I had fought for my happiness to the best of my abilities."
With this words Lola turned around and walked up to a raven black horse rearing on its back lags, barely being held with rains by two stable boys. She whistled and the horse immediately came down on all fours and started digging the ground with its hoofs, unable to stay in one place. Lola mounted the black horse and looked at her family for a second. The only one standing there calmly and not crying was the King, her father. He smiled and gestured to Lola placing his right fist on his heart, symbolizing his undying love and loyalty for his only daughter. This was to be done by soldiers for their King and Generals in Ujarma, as a show of their devotion and respect. Lola smiled and placed her right hand on her heart, then raised it in the air and said loudly "Depart".
The cavalry took of with loud cheering. Entire Capital had taken to the streets and was watching the Princesses departure parade. The cavalry was lead by Princess Lola dressed in beautiful velvet, red jacket, with golden embroidery and buttons in the middle. She was wearing cream colored high waisted pants, with red scarf tied around her waist and brown leather boots, with golden finishes. On her face she had a cream colored, simple mask with vail flowing down behind it, covering her tied up hair completely. Wearing pants for a woman, was a normal thing in a military country such as Ujarma, but it would not be acceptable in a conservative society of Dali. For that Lola had brought a few dresses to change into when entering the capital of Dali - Sasashi. this was just one of the many things she would have to give up.
Everyone was waiving and cheering when the envoy passed them. Lola was sitting proudly on her raven black horse Masej and waiving at her people in return. She never thought this would be so hard. What wouldn't she do to just stay here a little longer, but just one day more would not make a difference. It would still not be enough. She was crying, but no one could see through the vail.
The gates of Alucha, the capital of Ujarma closed behind them. What lay in front of them was a sand covered land. It would not be an easy nor a short journey. Still It could be interesting. Lola had never seen outside of her country. She build a whole economic system of Ujarma, based on fulfillment of each foreign country's needs. Still it was all book knowledge. She had never been to any of this places. This was a beginning of a great adventure. Yes that's what it was. At list that's what Lola told herself, to make this a little less painful. Hopeful and positive this were always her defining qualities. She took a big breath. Her motherlands nostalgic air filled her lungs. It would be all right. She would make it so. Whatever stood in her way she would overcome it. She possessed enough straight to do so. Yes! Lola smiled. This was not the last time she set foot on her motherland. One day she would return.
"Let's move out" Said Lola calmly.
The envoy departed....to the lands far far away. It would be years before any of them would set foot on Ujarmas beloved soil again.