Prologue

Janderi sat at her desk reviewing her paperwork. The sheets were finely cut and pressed and the Black ink showed especially well against the white paper.

The 67 earlier profiles seemed the same. Richer merchants or nobility applying for the job for their daughters. But the 68th was different.

A crisp, Autumn breeze came in through the window tousling her greying black hair. A smile slowly crept across her face and her dark eyes brightened as she absorbed the information.

Bandit.

The words printed on the paper stood out from the rest. This applicant was a bandit. Scanning the paper for other information, she stood, the chair screeching on the stone floor.

She shivered as the chill in the room was brought to her attention. Wrapping her cloak around her even more tightly she opened the heavy wooden door and went down the stairs of Star Tower in Castle Flower. Unlike it's name it was a sturdy structure made out of heavy stone.

The slits in the wall let in more cold air as she practically ran down the stairs. At the bottom, out of breath, she opened the other wooden door.

She raced down the halls until she came to the door she was looking for. Janderi grabbed the brass knocker and knocked three times and then ran in.

Lord Tarfin of Castle Flower was a sturdy man. He enjoyed his luxury but did not take it for granted. So saying he also valued his privacy a great deal so when Janderi ran in he raised his eyebrows. Janderi knew not to interrupt him when he was in his office.

"Sorry My Lord but I found her." Janderi said, her eyes twinkling."Are you sure?" He asked her. She nodded