"The Valley of Death".
The young group decided to rest for the night to pack for the next strenuous journey. Since the Young Knight could return to his position of absence the next night Eques Lux was left as a guardian to make sure the smooth journey of the Princess' best friend while Eques Tempus was to keep the Princess safe.
"We need to strategise the entire journey before we set foot through the woods.", the Noctis Eques said.
They all knew that the woods had many secrets hidden within them so they had to be careful.
"The journey to the Valley of Death can vary from a couple of days to half a month depending on the dangers we will have to face and since we may travel only under the light of the stars it may be more tedious than usual.", said Eques Tempus
"Is there a possibility that you may be able to alter time?", the Princess asked. Her eyes were filled with wonder at just the thought of altering time. While the Young Knight's eyes widened in amusement and as a smile spread on his face he wondered where that thought had come from. But he was glad, for the usually silent and playful Princess may have just suggested the foundation of a good plan to escape the demons by making altercations in time.
Although Eques Tempus and Eques Lux were also shocked at the idea presented by the Princess, they knew that altering anything relative to time would be their downfall. The intention of the Princess was good but they could not take a risk before the final knight was found and thus the discussion went on deep into the night. By the time the dawn crept on them, they had accurately planned the amount of time they would require and could hold leverage in case of setbacks or any unpredictable attacks.
As all discussions came to a halt and the time for the Young Knight to depart approached, he observed that the Princess was fiddling with the dagger he made and gifted her on her most recent birthday. He wouldn't exactly call it a gift as he knew she wouldn't like that. The dagger was a reminder to himself and the Princess of the life changing war both of them were to be prepared for. It was a promise from the Noctis Eques that he would train her to fight for the upcoming hardships so that he may not have to worry in case the war did not fair well in the knights favour. As he leaned on the trunk of a tree and stared at the Princess lost in his thoughts, the Princess took notice of him and walked towards him.
As she came face to face with the Young Knight she placed her right hand on his shoulder plate and looked at his helmet. She did not know why she was not permitted to see his face but she knew deep in her heart that she could trust him completely. The Young Knight took notice of the Princess' expression and felt a sad smile spread on his face. They had grown close. Close as best friends but he dreaded the day she found out the truth behind the helm. As their eyes met and the star continued both failed to notice it was dawn and as Eques Lux and Eques Tempus came to take over their duties the Princess for the first time saw the fading of her Knight. The more he faded the more she wanted to hold on. She felt her eyes full with tears and a small gasp escape her lips as she once again stood there alone waiting for her Knight to come back. But through her tears she noticed how his faint smile as the helm had vanished. That smile which she now wore as she felt more confident in herself and knew that she needed to work harder to be the Princess she was. Her first step would be to train as a Warrior. Then a Council woman. Followed by being a Strategist and finally the Princess.
The following morning the first phase of the strategy to leave for the Valley was carried out as the Eques Tempus and the Princess were aiding each other in the preparations for their journey while as promised Eques Lux was on a look out for any dangers and protecting the surroundings and keeping an eye for dangers as they waited for the return of the Noctis Eques. A tedious task but trivial to the knight who had trained all his life to protect the Princess.