"Princess Marina." Lorraine said with a curtsy and a bow.
"The coach and guards are waiting for you outside." said Lorraine.
"Guards?" Princess Marina asked.
"A male and female." Lorraine said with her eyes to the ground.
"Are they in uniform?" Princess Marina asked Lorraine.
"They are in disguises." said Lorraine.
"Good." Princess Marina said as she turned around in a black dress and cloak with windy patterns at the seams.
Stepping out of her room, walking past the hallways and down the stairs, Princess Marina stepped out of the castle doors into a carriage set for the Grand square.
Flashback
"There is a carriage bringing in goods from Pyrah." Lorraine said to Princess Marina.
"Now that your sisters have gone back and you're beginning to get sick of tea parties with Rassera Dawnspire and her two friends." Lorraine said, stopping to take in a breath.
"Would you like to explore Alvonia's Grand square?" Lorraine asked and Princess Marina looked at her curiously.
"Do they only sell goods from Pyrah?" Princess Marina asked Lorraine.
"No." Lorraine said, shaking her head.
"Goods come to the Grand square from all over the Alvonian Empire. There are exotic fruits from Danora, medicine from Aeliora, herbs and spices from Flinora and weapons from Averos." Lorraine said and Princess Marina tilted her head curiously.
"Weapons?" Princess Marina asked and Lorraine gave her a knowing look.
"Averosians are known for making strong weapons and rumors say that they make armor with defensive barriers." said Lorraine.
"Go on." Princess Marina said with interest.
"As you know each weapon is imbued with properties from the ores used to make them and us bestiae can sense those ores." Lorraine said and Princess Marina nodded.
"The addition of a defensive barrier serves to confuse our senses and protects the ore from getting destroyed." Lorraine said and Princess Marina nodded in interest.
Present.
As the carriage rolled into the Grand square, Princess Marina was taken back to the market squares in Valaria. The Grand square was lined with colorful stalls overflowing with fruits, street food, spices, fabrics, herbs, strange liquids in bottles, handcrafted goods, ores and weapons and stores that sold jewelry, books and finely made gowns with good fabric.
Vendors called out their best offers and their voices mingling with the chatter of eager shoppers searching for the perfect items made the Grand square alive. Princess Marina smelled the warm scent of street food as the carriage door was pulled open and Princess Marina smiled as the children around her carriage tugged at their parents' hands, eyes wide with curiosity.
Feeling light in her heart, Princess Marina almost missed the giant statue of the Alvonian Goddess in the middle of the square. The stature was an exact replica of the Valarian Goddess and the only difference she could spot was the difference in expressions. While the Valarian Goddess was strong and fierce, the Alvonian Goddess looked serene even with her spear and shield.
The statue of the Alvonian Goddess was at least six feet tall and carved out of white marble. On her head was a flower crown to represent the blessing of the earth, on her left hand was a spear made out of a blue crystal to represent the blessing of the water on her back where wings to represent the blessing of the wind, on her right hand was a metal shield to represent the blessing of fire and her eyes though soulless gleamed as Princess Marina passed by.
"Should we head over to the weapons area first?" Lorraine asked Princess Marina tentatively.
"That will come later." Princess Marina said, as she carried on like the statue had no effect on her.
"For now, I need more ores." Princess Marina said as she turned a corner.
"Ores?" Lorraine asked, tilting her head in confusion.
"Yes." Princess Marina said, as she nodded her head.
"Princess Esmeralda gave me some tips on the academy." Princess Marina said as she picked up a clear ore to inspect it.
"Although her tip doesn't come into play until three years later, I prefer to always be prepared." Princess Marina said and Lorraine watched as Princess Marina picked up more ores to inspect.
Not finding what she was looking for Princess Marina went to walk away before being confronted by the shop owner.
"Hey." The owner of the stall said as he slammed his hand on the wood.
"My shop ain't just for viewing." The shop owner said and Princess Marina extended her arm to stop her guards from moving forward.
"I apologize for wasting your time." Princess Marina said as she handed the shop owner two gold coins.
Finally leaving the stall, Princess Marina was about to head to another stall when she heard someone else being called out for what she had done prior.
Turning to face the commotion, Princess Marina came face to face with stunning orange hair and bright blue eyes.