Stallions, geldings, mares, colts, foals: horses of every shape and color were penned in neat rows leading back from the water's edge. The steeds were well kept, and the man with Mairwen seemed vaguely familiar.

Mairwen spotted her father and waved him over happily. "Father, do you remember Damasippos? He is one of the royal equerries."

Devrim squinted for a moment at the man as his mind tried to place him. While he could name most of the regular soldiers at the palace, the names of other staff members often escaped him. "I believe we have met," the Emperor answer noncommittally.

Damasippos bowed his waist. "Your Majesty, it is an honor see you."

"What are you doing out here?" Devrim asked. He had intended to direct the question at Mairwen, but as Damasippos was still bent in half, he did not realize this.

As he straightened, the equerry answered, "Many weeks back, the princess requested a new gelding. I came a few days ago to the breeding ground to observe and make a few selections."

The Emperor gave Mairwen a fatherly scowl. The princess knew that the question was meant for her, and yet she had avoided answering. The girl looked at the ground, embarrassed.

"I did not mean to run off, Father. I just did not want to give us false hope. When Okan told me the river's name, I knew that the breeding grounds must be nearby. So I asked the Seeker, and it took off this way. I followed, thinking that it would be a quick trip. It turns out that these pens were much further than I expected. I am sorry," Mairwen apologized. Although the girl's knowledge of geography was very good, distances on a map were different when they had to be walked.

"Please do not scare me like that," Devrim hugged Mairwen tightly, pushing the air out of her lungs. "I would rather have false hope than no daughter. At least you had the sense to take Eira with you this time."

Eira nodded to the general. Mairwen had taken off so quickly that the personal guard had had no opportunity to warn anyone of their sudden departure. But Eira had kept the girl safe, and that was the most important thing. Junayd returned her nod.

"Has everyone been looking for me?" Mairwen asked with a guilty look once she was released from Devrim's hug.

Again Damasippos thought the question was for him when it was not. "I admit I was not looking for any of you. I did not have any idea you were so interested in horses. Had I been informed of your arrival, I would have been better prepared. Forgive me for not being at the stable-house to greet you."

"No forgiveness needed. We had no intention of being in this part of the empire," Mairwen assured him. Her easygoing manner put the anxious Damasippos at ease.

"You are very gracious, Your Highness." The equerry smiled, but then his face contored into a look of confusion. "But, if I may ask...if you did not come here for horses, why are you out in this part of the wilderness?"

Devrim smirked, "While we had no intention of being in this part of the wilderness, we have certainly come here for horses. I hope you might spare us a few."

Damasippos nodded, "Of course. They are all yours anyway, Your Majesty. How many do you need?"

Just then, the rest of the Emperor's party began to emerge from the woods. They looked in wonder at the horses, just as Damasippos stared at them wide-eyed.

"We need around a hundred horses, give or take. Can you do that?" Devrim asked. "And we need them quickly."

Damasippos's eyes hardened as he took in the enormity of the situation. "Has what we feared come to pass at the palace? I notice the Empress is not with you... No, no! Do not nod; the less I know the better. I cannot claim ignorance if you tell me what has happened. I will have the stable boys prepare your horses, though we may be a little short on saddles."

"We will take anything you can provide. Thank you, Damasippos," Devrim made sure to remember the equerry's name. "How long do you think it will take?"

"If I can put a fire in the workers' bellies, we can do it in an hour. What's your hurry? Is somebody chasing you?" Damasippos joked before he realized what he had said. He waved his hands in the air frantically. "Nevermind! Do not answer that. The less I know, the better."

--------------------

The journey was much quicker with the horses. The few nobles that were with them became more content with something to carry them other than their own two legs. It amused the soldiers to see the nobility try to 'rough-it' with them. Only the Emperor and Princess seemed to be unbothered by the change in their sleeping arrangements and food. Devrim had been out on many missions and training exercises over the years, so this type of life was nothing new. And Mairwen somehow seemed at home in any situation.

In each small town they passed over the next three days, a few of the group would head in and buy some supplies or food. It was the only way to avoid suspicion and get what they needed. Before they departed, Damasippos had been kind enough to empty the small safe that was used when horses were bought and sold, and donate it without question. As far as the equerry was concerned, it was money that belonged to the Empress and her family anyway. As a result, the small army had plenty of coins to spare.

"I want a turn," Mairwen begged as the scout told them they were approaching the next village.

"Mairwen, we have talked about this…" Devrim sighed. "You saw what happened last time you went into town. You were mobbed. And those people were friendly. What happens if they aren't?"

"Perhaps this village has not heard the stories yet…" the princess argued.

"Ha!" Junayd laughed as he rode beside them. "Your Highness, you have been the talk of every town we pass. I see no reason why this one should be different."

It was true. Either by one of the Empress's town criers or through a strange traveling entertainer who had picked up the tale, everyone seemed to know of Mairwen's bravery.

"I will wear a disguise. Eira and I can change clothes. We are roughly the same size. No one will be looking for a princess who actually looks like a warrior."

"No," the Emperor pulled his horse away from his daughter's. She followed after him.

"You know I can make my own decisions without you, Father. I do not need your approval," Mairwen held her back straight.

Devrim narrowed his gaze. "Do not even try that route, young lady. If you run off again, I will tie you to my horse when I find you."

The princess quickly changed tactics, and her eyes became dewy. The Emperor looked away, knowing that he could not refuse that pout. "But I found the horses on my own. I know I can be useful if you will let me."

"Sire." Junayd, who had been left behind a moment ago, rejoined the pair. "The scout informed me that the entertainer who is spreading tales of the princess is currently in the village ahead of us. Would you like me to investigate?"

Devrim thought for a moment before nodding. "Yes, and I am going with you," he announced, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"Good, then the four of us will go," Mairwen clapped with the reigns in her hand.

"Four of us?" Devrim pressed his lips together.

"Yes, I do not think we should leave Eira behind." The princess intentionally misunderstood and was already pulling her horse to one side as she looked for a place to change her clothes.

"I was not talking about Eira." The grey-eyed man tried to cut off his daughter's path with his own horse.

Mairwen stopped her mare and crossed her arms. "If you are going, Father, then so am I. You want to keep an eye on me, and we both want to see this entertainer that is causing such a stir."

This was the strongest weapon she had against him: reason. Devrim knew this time that he was defeated. "Very well," he conceded. "Go and change." Mairwen gave a small squeal and motioned for Eira and her horse to follow her to a more private spot. Devrim could not help but chuckle at the girl's excitement. He remembered how much Aurora liked dressing like a commoner, though this was not exactly the same. The Emperor cut his eyes to the man next to him. "Junayd, you and I will switch clothing as well."

"Wait, what? Why?" Junayd was quite fond of his armor, particularly because it protected him from unexpected attacks.

"With you and Eira posing as nobility, you can draw the villagers' attention while Mairwen and I will be largely ignored. That is better protection than any blade." The Emperor dismounted, and the rest of the caravan came to a stop behind him. Devrim took off his cloak and threw it to the general. The burly man did not move. "Is there a problem?" The Emperor raised one eyebrow quizzically.

Junayd looked up at the sky. "When I said I wanted to live like royalty, this is not what I meant," he mumbled.

"Oh, come on, Sire," Devrim's voice dripped with sarcasm as he made a mock bow. "You have always lamented that you had no chance to be a nobleman."

"This is nothing like I envisioned..." the general shook his head.

"With great power comes great responsibility," the grey-eyed man reminded him with a smirk.

"Can I just have the power?" Junayd joked with a goofy grin.

"Now you sound like my son..." Devrim said dryly.

"Your Majesty, I would never!" Junayd tried to backtrack his words, but the Emperor flashed a smile. The general relaxed and quickly dismounted.

The Emperor nodded and motioned to the trees. "Let's get changed. We have an entertainer to meet."