Daisy closed the book and sighed. She loved reading about her hero but really she wished she could meet him. Them really. There were more than one. For her that was the joy and pain of reading about them in books. She was safe in her tower but books and songs really did not do justice to the ones she dreamt of on a nightly basis. She knew they would fall in love with her and include her in their escapades if she could just leave her tower. Ever since her uncle, the Governor of the new lands, became her foster parent by royal decree, she was confined to this ancient edifice on the back edge of the city.
Away from all the bustle, her only joys were reading, listening to bards and gossiping with the servants and if she was particularly fortunate she could entice a visitor to check on her favorite horse "Steel Wind" and report back to her. The name, a private joke with herself as this beautiful grey/brown coated horse would often pass gas quite loudly and then pretend he had done no such thing. He could run like the wind too, if allowed. 'Windy', as she called him affectionately, would look at her with his intelligent eyes and nicker in the days before she was imprisoned. A message from horse to rider saying "Lets go!"
Bored, and irritated and longing for release from her prison, Daisy strode around her room. She ignored the luxurious furnishings, sumptuous foods, and various distractions. The only window into her room looked out on to the back of the stables. Occasionally she could catch a glimpse of one of the Duke's steeds being walked in the gable. Beyond that, woods stretched and in the far distance a sea beckoned. When she was really bored like now she day dreamed about a hero coming by ship and storming the tower. Overcoming the burly men-at-arms with wit, charm and finesse, he would open the door to her room and...
CRASH!
The heavy oak door of her room swung open with a resounding boom, as her uncle, Duke Marisso Goodfell entered preceded by his personal guard Raulg Ironcoat. A smile on his face caused her to smile back, startled from her pondering and wondering what her uncle would dictate to her now. But he did no such thing. He made no demands either. He just stood there grinning and clearly admiring Daisy. Princess Dairissa Goodfell, as she was more formally known assumed her politest attitude and asked the Duke "To what do I owe this honor, dear uncle?"
"Why Daisy I have just wonderful news and you will be most pleased as well, I think!" Not once did he stop smiling. Good news? Doubtful, Daisy thought. Since he arrived unannounced into her life at the death of her young parents and brothers several years ago, everything had been bad. Sure she lived more richly and was far better educated by various hired tutors and even those who just volunteered their time to the beautiful princess in the tower. But she was direly unhappy. She did not loath uncle Goodfell, so much as fear him and worry for his designs on her. His rare kindnesses often came packaged in clauses.
For example, when she lived with her parents and brothers, she was allowed to dress in pants and tunic like her brothers and play on the farm they often lived on. Though a prince of the realm and a powerful warrior, her father Dairon Goodfell, loved the simple life of farming and often vacationed with peasants whom he had befriended in his army. Now she was to wear dresses and petticoats and cosmetics and comb her long auburn hair daily. Her farm garb had long since been stolen away and burned by a well-meaning matron. In return he allowed her a sedate, escorted ride on Steel Wind, once every month or so. The death of her parents and brothers, horribly tragic for her was compounded by the harsh methods of her only remaining family. She felt he did truly care for her, but his idea of what was right and proper strongly differed from her own.
Though related by blood, they were strangers. He did nothing to close this gap by being stern and unyielding. Whatever he was smiling about now could not bode well for her. He continued on, deigning to not notice her lack of response or apparent interest. "Dairissa, my lovely niece, you are about to be betrothed to the richest man in the kingdom: Sir Laroch, Earl of Wighton, and Knight Defender of the realm."
Seeing a lack of understanding in the young girl's face he continued on hoping to bring the smile back to her eyes. "Look, he really is very young but by repute he is handsome, kind and gallant and will be a very good husband for you. Yes yes I know. You were hoping for something more romantic but Dear there isn't time. Your father's lands will be claimed by one lord or another if we don't marry you to someone strong enough to hold them. You must realize that I can not continue to protect those lands and my own. My meager army is barely enough to properly patrol this city and its surroundings..." He trailed off realizing she was not listening. "Well, my dear niece you seem to be taking this as well as I expected. I do so hate tears and hysterics. You will be happier. You will see." With this pronouncement, and without waiting for a reply he left followed closely by Raulg, who looked rather sadly back at the stricken girl as he gently closed the door behind them.
Daisy's mind whirled and spun. She could not bear the thought of marrying anyone. She shouldn't have to. She was still under the age of marriage by a few months and her own parents were not planning to let suitors begin wooing her until she was ready for them. Lord Dairon married for love and believed his children should do so as well. Her thoughts settled on one idea. She would need to escape her confines and leave her life of privilege. Daisy knew that though the servants and guards liked her, (perhaps even adored her), they would not risk their own livelihoods and well-being to aid her, so she kept her scheme to herself.