Even before the sun rose completely over the horizon in the morning, the Pendragon soldiers had departed for the war. The first and second princes had been the ones to go, while the rest stayed back at the Empress's suggestion to the Emperor. Many had woken up early to bid them farewell as they marched away, and the entire village had lined the roadsides to watch them depart.
But earlier before the departure from the imperial palace, they had taken the Emperor's blessings and went through the necessary traditions.
There was a tradition in the Empire that when a man goes to battle, a lover's or a close relative's handkerchief tied to his sword or spear brings him good luck and protection. Just as Princess Thalia had woken up early that dawn to tie a piece of her handkerchief around her brother's sword before he departed, Princess Madeline had also trotted toward Lucian to do the same. But the dark look he gave her was enough to make her stand back a few feet away from him.
