The journey to Dali was a long one. For one whole month the Princess and her envoy were navigating through desert, dance forests and countries of different cultures. There weren't always cities, or villages to stay in. Many nights were turned into mornings for Princess and her companions, while laying on the ground, under the sky of a foreign land. On the way Lola took the opportunity to inspect the Ujarmas safety checkpoints and make some Important improvements. She was vary pleased with how effective they were against bandits and other dangers one could encounter on the road. The whole way through Ujarma they had not run into anything life threatening or in any way unpleasant. Of course this was not the case while crossing all the other countries. it wasn't even funny how big of a difference it was the second one stepping out of Ujarma. Many, many times were they attacked during the night and even in the broad daylight. The criminals here had no sense of shame and didn't even bother to hide anymore. They would simply step out of the forest and demand all the positions to be handed over. Of course they were beaten beyond recognition, arrested, or killed by Princesses soldiers. The envoy had to always move forward while defending form the attackers without a long overdue rest, to make it in time to Dali. The long road seemed to have no end and the constant state of being alert tired everyone out. Everyone was looking disheveled and worn out. Finally after one long month they had reached the capital city of Sasashi.
Before going near the city Lola dismounted from her raven black horse and handed it to one of the soldiers. She got dressed in a cream colored dress, with brown Corset and bow on the back. Cream colored vail was flowing down from her thin simple golden crown passed down to princesses of Ujarma. She looked simply dressed, yet so tasteful and elegant. The soldiers were siting on top of the horses and being on high alert. Even so near to the capital it was not safe. Lola was done changing and stepped down from the carriage looking so very refined and petite, that the soldiers were shocked speechless. Was this the same princess that slept on the ground, hunted and ate with them for the past month? Everyone was curious, while dressed cleanly she looked almost normal, so just how ugly could her Face be, that her own parents would not dare look at her.
Lola brushed the dress with her hand softly to straiten some small wrinkles and looked up at her soldiers. She was met with many curious eyes, which at first startled her and then made her laugh a little to herself. She spoke in a calm soothing voice.
"You have all been working very hard for the entire month. I know how difficult it was and I'm grateful for all that you have done. Now we will be entering the capital city of Dali - Sasashi. Be ready and calm. There is a lot of discrimination against us in the foreign countries, especially after our rise in power. They hate us more now, that the savage people they looked down upon so much, are leaving even better then them. The fact that a lot of Nobles are against my marriage to the second prince makes things even more complicated. Do not get agitated. We can not give them any openings. Now then, my loyal soldiers lets go and show them what we are made of."
"Yes! Your royal highness". Almost yelled out the envoy and slammed there right fists on there chests.
The gates of Sasashi opened and the envoy entered the capital. A lot of citizens were crowding the streets to get a glimpse of a princess of a foreign country. Many were openly discussing their opinions and prejudices. Some were even laughing and mocking the tattered cloth the envoy wore. Even so, not one soldier of Ujarma turned their heads towards the crowd. They were sitting proudly with an impeccable postures and discipline like some untouchable war gods. the envoy progressed onward towards the Castle. The crowd was getting bigger and bigger and more agitated by the minute. Finally out of nowhere an arrow flew towards the left window of the carriage. With inhuman speed one of the soldiers stood on his horse, jumped towards the carriage, did a full spin and cut the arrow in half. Everyone of the bystanders were shocked. The arrow turned out to be a decoy and the real attack came from the right and the back, in form of more then thirty unmasked assassin's. Showing there faces meant they were not planning on getting out of this alive. That was probably the only smart thing they had done that day, as the killers couldn't even approach the carriage. How could they ever get even a glimpse of the princess, when one of best Warriors of Ujarma were there to stop them. It was a sight to behold. Fourteen of Ujarmas soldiers with loud "Ha" encircled the Carriage immediately. From them every fourth soldier road out in front and dismounted from the horse unsheathing their swords, so that each one of them could protect the three horsemen standing behind them. this all happened in a matter of seconds. The ones in the back stood with one lag on top of the saddle, one in the stirrup and with bow and arrow in there hands. Every shot they took was perfectly aimed and never missed a mark. The assassins went down one by one. Ones that managed to evade the arrows we're cut down with ease by the front guards. If by some miracle any attacker got through the first line of defense, then the three behind him would have unsheathed their swords and pose as an impenetrable wall. If need be even using there body's as shields. In the carriage each of the handmaidens stood in front of the two doors with their swords ready to cut any stray arrows that may have escaped the guards, though unnecessary as it never happened. The princess was sitting leisurely in the carriage, unaffected by the battlefield playing out around her.
The people standing by were shocked. Soon everyone was applauding and shouting. They regretted ever uttering the words of disrespect towards this mighty worriers. The entire fight was over in less then a minute. Everyone of the assassins except one was cut down instantly. When it was his turn to be beheaded, the princess gestured with her hand to the handmaiden Haer and she immediately jumped out of the carriage. "Stop!" Yelled out Haer.
The sword was stopped in midair never touching the assassins neck. The soldier looked up with question on his face.
"The Princess wants him for questioning." Added Haer. "Keep him alive."
"Yes." Straightened up the soldier immediately and gestured with his hand to show his respect to his commande, the Princess. The soldier quickly pried open his mouth with a knife, so that the assassin would not swallow the poison hidden in his back tooth.
Suddenly a squad of fifty soldiers in azure blue colored uniforms with Dali emblems embroidered in gold on there chest, rode up on white horses. The commander bowed his head and said. "The commander of the royal guards Saban Garsh greets Princess Lola Malat Dumil."