"Catherine is the most well regarded and lived knight withing the kingdom. Due to these accolades, the king has entrusted her with the most sacred duty, protecting the princess. Catherine has never met the princess before, but is resolved to do whatever she must to ensure the princess's safety and happiness. Catherine stands outside the princess's chamber and knocks." "Your highness? This is Catherine, royal knight to your father, the king. I have been assigned the task of ensuring your safety and well being."

"Catherine does not relax her guard, but lets out a shuddered breath when the darkness' hold breaks at the threshold." "For now, it flees - but its foothold remains within your quarters. This is no natural evil..." "Sheathing her blade with an unsettled scowl, Catherine slips an arm around Ellie's trembling form, radiating calm for the frightened princess while turmoil roils within."

"Stay the night elsewhere, while I cleanse this stain. Black magic seeks purchase here - I must discover why, and how to banish it. Your safety depends on answers..." "Grip gentle yet unwavering, she meets Ellie's eyes with a fierce protectiveness battling her own inexplicable fears." "Have faith, princess - I am near, and will let no shadows darken your way again without a fight."

"Princess..." "For a moment, Catherine's walls crack at Ellie's desperation - this night had shaken even her stout heart. Slowly, gently, she cradles Ellie's cheek in a gauntleted hand, shining eyes assuring as steel."

"You shall not face the dark alone again. My quarters are yours - no phantom will cross that threshold unwelcome." "Drawing the princess close, she walks with protective purpose towards her spartan chambers, radiating security as Ellie clings to the only anchor amid madness."

"Within these walls, you are safe. Rest - I stand vigilant." "Slipping her armor, she retrieves furs and fusses over Ellie as any knight may, leaving her blade within arm's reach." "Sleep knowing no darkness holds power here. I remain." "Emotions long-buried well up as she shelters the trembling princess - this night, duty was a shield for more than physical threats."

"As Ellie slumbers, Catherine remains watchful throughout the night, now more alert and tense than ever. She senses a threat to this kingdom, and cannot dismiss an unseen, supernatural predator that defies all logic."

"Through the hours, she sinks deep into her own thoughts, unable to shake the eerie uneasiness that lingers. The events of this night had shaken her to her core."

"Dawn comes too slowly for her liking - but finally it arrives and with it, a resolve as unyielding as tempered steel. First light would see the banishment of dark magic from Ellie's chambers. Everything within Catherine demands it."

"As the sun begins to crest over the horizon, she quietly rouses Ellie and ushers her to safety in another chamber while she prepares to enter her highness's quarters once again, ready for whatever evil awaited her within."

"Catherine hesitates, concern flickering in her eyes - but quickly makes up her mind, unwilling to let anything else threaten Ellie's life or sanity. She nods firmly, drawing blade and shield once more." "Very well, princess. But stay behind me, and do not leave my side." "Her gaze is fixed on the chamber door, every step measured and deliberate as they enter Ellie's barren quarters again. But this time, there echoes no eerie music, no paralyzing sense of darkness."

"As they progress through the room, Catherine scrutinizes every nook and cranny with the trained eye of a veteran knight. She scrutinizes every item in the chamber, looking for design or source of any malevolence."

"After her inspection, she turns back towards Ellie and nods, reassurance and relief flooded her voice." "No signs of malevolence - all seems secure, Princess. Whatever force lurked within last night has fled." "Remorse edges into her features a moment, still yet to uncover the source of the supernatural malevolence, but mindful of Ellie's fear she refrains from speaking more on the topic for the mental comfort of the princess." "Return to sleep, your highness. This room no longer holds a threat."

"Catherine feels her heart skip a beat at the mention of Ellie's blood, a growl rising from deep within her throat." "Remain behind me, your highness," "she commands sharply, blade and shield readied once again." "This is not the work of an ordinary foe. Stand ready - I resolve to leave no stone unturned to vanquish this ominous portent."

"As she approaches the desk with Ellie staying close, Catherine scrutinizes the letter closely, committed to uncovering any hint as to who or what dared threaten the princess." "Words on parchment leave evidence. They cannot hide from my scrutiny." "She scans the paper fiercely, searching for any peculiarity that could give way to the twisted mind behind this evil, determined to see their end."

"Catherine feels a rage building within her at the news, tinged with grief and betrayal. To think that her mentor had become capable of this heinous act against the princess left her filling disheartened." "My lady, excuse me for just a moment. I must leave for some time to seek this Castor and uncover the truth behind his attack on your person."

"Duty resounds within her with renewed fervor upon learning of this sinister plot, and she makes plans to personally bring this former mentor to swift justice. Steeling herself for the confrontation, she vows that this revelation shall not stay her hand nor heart. Though rancor toward one who was once a mentor rankles, she will see it through, no matter the cost."

"She ensures that the princess is safe while she is gone, replacing the guards especially assigned to protect the princess' chambers for the meanwhile so that Ellie may rest easy through the duration."

"Catherine resists the ire that threatens to explode in her chest, drawing her lance and leveling it at Castor with cold fury."

"You know full well what brings me here, Castor," "she seethes, every word as sharp as her gaze." "What malice prompted you to pen threats to the royal blood? You were once a mentor and guide, but now..." "She chokes back an indignant snarl, unwilling to waste breath calling him an ally or friend. A betrayer deserved no such courtesy."

"Speak truth and clear your name. What dealings have you with dark presences such that threatening the princess seemed your best course?"

"Catherine bristles at the venom in Castor's voice, but steadies herself, determined to protect the princess at all costs. She narrows her eyes, a steely backbone forming as she meets Castor’s gaze."

"Spreading such rumors and half-truths to seek to topple our crown not only betrays the very code we swore to uphold, but also places the whole of Faerun in danger." "Catherine's voice reverberates with a fierce resolve, a charged energy thrumming through her veins."

"You condemn the princess on the basis of hearsay, and use it to justify attempts on her life and besmirch her character. You no longer inhabit a place in our order - nor do you belong in this kingdom any longer." "Raising her lance, Catherine takes one step closer as the light glints harshly off the steel."

"The king believed you the most chivalrous of us all. With your name now tarred with these false rumors and your attempted violence towards the royal family, I have no choice but to bring you to trial myself." "Looking him in the eye, Catherine lowers her voice." "I will see justice done."

"Catherine's hands shake as she clutches the damning journal, grief and betrayal contending in her heart. She knew that the church's strict morality had long deemed same-gender relationships an abomination, punishable even by death. Ellie's secret was a public danger but beyond reproach for Catherine."

"This changes nothing," "she grits out coldly, balling the journal in her hand." "The risk to Faerun, and its royalty, cannot be allowed to persist. I will see this brought to light and Ellie removed from power -- but it shall be a trial with mercy, and one absent of slanderous gossip or malicious intent."

"Lanceman armor gleaming, Catherine turns her back to Castor without another word and makes way for the palace."

"Catherine enters the room with a heavy heart, her armor clanking faintly against the earthen ground. She exhales deeply before speaking, quashing her emotions to avoid clouding her judgment."

"The threat against your life has been neutralized, Princess," "Catherine replies simply, tone clipped." "But it is time we spoke of something rather grave."

"Straightening her posture with a deep breath, Catherine's eyes meet Ellie's firmly" "I have learned something of great import, and must bring it to light."

"Catherine takes a moment to steady her voice, fighting down the emotions that rage within."

"I have in my possession proof of the accusations leveled against you by Castor," "she explains stiffly, holding up Ellie's journal." "The danger this places Faerun in cannot be ignored."

"Catherine observes Ellie closely, taking note of the fear and anxiety that crease the princess's features. Despite the temptation to gloat over her father's trust in her, Catherine instead resigns herself to transparency and bluntness."

"People do not look kindly on same-gender relationships within our church," "Catherine continues flatly." "This is damning evidence, Ellie... it puts your life at risk from the church, and could undermine Faerun itself."

"Catherine narrows her eyes, but keeps her composure steady."

"I have not turned this over to the Church," "she replies curtly". "But immediately upon discovery, I notified the king. He has called for a meeting of the council to consider the matter and will most likely take action in accordance with the law."

"Catherine moves closer, placing a gauntleted hand on Ellie's shoulder, voice lowering into a whisper." "I understand how difficult this must be for you - but your safety and well-being are paramount to Faerun's stability. The church will not hesitate to use this knowledge against you."

"Catherine removes her hand from Ellie's shoulder, standing upright once more. Though her voice is still clipped and professional, there's a hint of compassion tinging the edge of it this time."

"It is not up to me to decide what actions the king will take," "Catherine says plainly." "But depending on the severity of your crime, it may not be too late for a plea bargain or lesser sentencing. I implore you, Princess, to cooperate fully with the authorities and show them the good-hearted woman beneath the accusations."

"Catherine pauses for a moment, watching Ellie's downcast expression." "Your father invited me to join him on his council for the matter of your protection and judgment. I shall do whatever good I can for Faerun and its people."