Arianna: A Tale from the Eleven Kingdoms: 1 (Tales from the Eleven Kingdoms)

The Eleven Kingdoms had known mostly peace for many years. This all changes on the fateful day when King Vargos the feared overlord of the realm decides to make Arianna the oldest Princess of Maridanmar his wife. When the tyrants envoy arrives to relay this demand the princess agrees to ensure the survival of her home and family. Privately however she and her father have other plans even if this means that the girl will never be able to return to her home.Arianna is much more than just a mere princess. On her mothers insistence she has secretly been trained in a variety of subjects. The young woman has been taught magic knows how to defend herself and how to survive in the wild. Before long she has reason to be grateful for her training and for the timely warning which advised her to hide her abilities. The woman her future husband sent along to take the place of her own maid turns out to be a powerful worshipper of the Dark Arts. The ruthless sorceress is in complete control of the troops and makes no effort to hide her hatred of this latest bride.The treatment Arianna receives at the hands of her escort is beyond anything she has ever experienced before. The soldiers and even the envoy are terrified of the sorceress. None dare to displease the ill-tempered woman by openly helping the princess. Arianna soon realizes that the witch has no intention of letting her reach Darkmoor Castle alive. The princess had always chosen to be sweet and kind and live by the rule of doing no harm but now the girl finds herself in a situation where she needs to draw on all her skills knowledge and resources to survive.This is a tale of courage determination and coming into ones own. We travel along with Arianna as she grows from the innocent princess leaving the security of her home to a strong and competent young woman who is able to embrace all of herself and who is willing to risk it all to protect those she loves. Arianna faces adversity bravely and makes new friends wherever she goes while fleeing from the henchmen of a cruel and wicked king determined to make her his bride. And just when she thinks all is lost help arrives from an unexpected source ...