"Many thanks, but I hardly hold a candle to you. I'm ever so glad I could make it this year."

Inpatient, she thrusts the present into Ingress' hands, grinning. Although it is wrapped in simple cloth, inside is a scarlet and gold court gown with gold braid about the waist and sleeves, made to fit Ingress. The odd thing about this dress, however, is the split skirt designed for riding.

Underneath the dress is a scroll. It had been remarkably easy to wrangle a formal court invitation addressed to Princess Ingress from their Royal Majesties King Jonathan of Tortall and Princess Thayet.