Lyn waited as Prince Aidan climbed into the back of the wagon, and then stepped up onto the wooden seat-box herself. With few possessions, she simply set her sack on the seat beside her and clucked to the horse, taking the reins firmly but gently. The palace gates opened, and Lyn steered the wagon across the drawbridge, trotting it through Leincrad at a speed that was not too suspiciously fast.

She secretly hoped that they would run over a pothole or two, and that the wagon would jostle his Highness uncomfortably; but the road was smooth through the city. It wasn’t long before they passed the outskirts and began into the nearest forest. Lyn enjoyed the change of scenery, and wasn’t worried about getting lost because the road to Lyonsvarg was long, but direct. She set the horse to a more brisk pace than the one they'd used within the city walls, because there was no one around to wonder at her hurried departure.

Lyn wondered just why Prince Aidan had appeared to so quickly resent her presence. She was used to people treating her differently because she was a female knight; but it had seemed like he was personally offended by her presence. Perhaps his self-confidence was wounded because he was being escorted by a girl.

They had been traveling for nearly four hours, so Lyn addressed the prince. “My lord, I’d like to give the horse a moment’s rest. You’re welcome to stretch your legs if you wish. Also, do you wish me to call you ‘my lord’, or is there another name I should use while we travel anonymously?”