As the knights climbed onto their mounts, Destrian took up a position next to his own horse where Mirabella was perched. Once everyone was settled, one of the knights turned around to face him and he nodded. The man hesitated for a moment, likely considering whether or not he should offer the prince his own horse again, and then reluctantly turned away, signaling for the group to start moving. Destrian just rolled his eyes as he walked alongside Mirabella. The knights were too traditionalistic. A little change in the routine never hurt anyone. Besides, he rather enjoyed walking. It made him feel like he was doing something for himself, rather than just playing the part of a royal puppet.

[b]“Your horse is very calm,”[/b] Mirabella’s voice drew him from his musings. [b]“You must have trained him very well.”[/b]

“He is, isn’t he?” Destrian said, patting the animal’s neck. “However, I can’t take all the credit for that. I was only ten years old when Fendrel was given to me as a colt, so, since I was too young to do it myself, my father was the one who trained him.”

Soon, the kingdom walls came into view above the tree line. Destrian glanced at Mirabella and smiled at her awed expression. If this was how she reacted to seeing the outside of the kingdom, he couldn’t wait to show her the interior, especially the palace. He just hoped his father wouldn’t find out what she was and turn her away. The king was a traditionalist just as much as the knights in his army. He would not stand to allow a peasant girl be admitted into a royal event.

The group passed through the main gates and headed for the stables to return their horses. The knights dismounted easily and began unbridling their animals. Mirabella seemed to have a bit more trouble. At first, it looked like she was going to climb down on her own, but then she stopped and looked down at the prince, [b]“This... is a little higher than I thought. It must have taken a lot of practice for you all to get on and off of horses so easily.”[/b]

“Well, that and we’ve grown up with horses throughout our entire lives,” Destrian smiled and shrugged. “Here, let me help you.” He offered Mirabella a hand to get down.

“Sire, please,” one of the knights walked up, glancing at Mirabella. “You do not have to offer your assistance to a peasant. Let me do it.”

“Oh, damn the traditions,” Destrian said sternly. “Peasants are people, too; just as much as any noble. I will not treat them less than that simply because they hold a lower status.”

The knight hesitated, “Your father—”

“Is an honorable man,” Destrian interrupted. “But I do not hold all of the same beliefs as he does. You should know this by now.” He turned back to Mirabella and helped her down from the horse, and then looked back at the knight. “Take the horses back to their stalls and tell my father I would like to speak with him shortly. I have some minor business to take care of first.” Of course, he couldn’t bring the peasant girl to the king as she was now. She wouldn’t even pass for a member of the middleclass. If he was going to get her into the ball, he would have to make her look a bit more presentable.

Destrian turned to Mirabella as the knights began to walk away, “Come along. We’re going to the market.”