Into Valiant the trio rode. Devrim took the lead with Junayd second and Gandr third. They traveled by the main road out of town, which allowed them to ride their horses, albeit only single-file. They were dressed as soldiers because then they and the horses would be generally ignored. It worked. No one paid them attention. But even from his height, Devrim could hear the gossip in the street.

"Do you think the rumors are true? Is Prince Alaron really Empress Aurora's brother?"

"The Prince seems to think so. He left in a hurry after he realized he would not get her throne."

"But the Princess stayed. She must truly love the Emperor and Empress."

"And the Empress must love her too. Why else would she keep her siblings alive when they threatened her rule?"

"The Empress has been a good ruler, but can we trust someone who lied to their own family?"

"I think...." On and on the conversations went as the three passed through the streets. Devrim held tight to the reigns as he tried not to react. He did not care what they said about him, but he wanted to set every one of them straight about Aurora. The Empress loved her people and her family. She had made decisions that were well beyond her ten years of age when she took the throne. But the Emperor was not sure that bringing his wife's age into the conversation would be a good idea. It was just one more thing she had hidden from the world. Forget the world! He knew the loving-kindness of his wife and he would defend Aurora to the grave against her enemies, her people, and even her son. Though he hoped sincerely that the last two would never be put to the test.

As they left the northern gate of Valiant, the crowds thinned, and the road widened. Junayd and Gandr rode up alongside the Emperor as they headed northward. Their faces were grim. "I suppose you heard the people." Devrim tried to act casual. Gandr noticed that the Emperor did not look his way. The grey-eyed man had been particularly cool to the halfling for the past couple of days. While the two had never been close, they were usually cordial at least. Gandr knew that the Empress had ordered that he come on this journey with the two men. Perhaps the Emperor felt like he was being babysat.

Junayd wisely ignored the tension and answered the Emperor's comment. "I heard the people, Your Majesty. They are very confused, but most seemed to think well of the Empress. Give them time and things will settle down. Deep down, they know how good their lives are under the Empress's rule. They would not trade that for anything." Junayd's comforting words caused Devrim to relax slightly.

"Of course you are right," the Emperor agreed.

"I would sing Her Majesty's praises all day to anyone who would listen. She saved me from myself, afterall," Gandr added with a grin.

Devrim's body tightened again. "Mhmm," he grunted as he clicked his heels into his horse.

Gandr glanced helplessly at Junayd. "Was it something I said or did?"

The kind-faced soldier liked the halfling. Sure Gandr had used magic on him once, but that now meant that Gandr was incapable of hurting him. It also meant that the half-gnome could sense his feelings and those of the Empress and Emperor. If Gandr felt hostility from Devrim, then it was definitely there.

"I am not sure that it is you, exactly. Be patient," Junayd echoed his advice that he gave a moment ago. Gandr nodded. He would have to wait and see how things progressed. It was a long trip to the land of magic. He should just relax. Instead, the halfling tensed. He sensed someone was watching them.

"Can you suggest to His Majesty that we get off the main path for a while? He will not take kindly to any advice from me, and I cannot shake the feeling we are being followed." Gandr asked Junayd. The latter nodded and moved to speak to the Emperor.

With a low voice and his eyes forward, Junayd spoke out of the side of his mouth. "Gandr thinks that we are being followed. Perhaps we should leave the main path to to see if his theory is correct?" The soldier's demeanor gave Devrim pause. If Junayd had not believed Gandr, he would not have used so covert a method to deliver the message.

"Very well," Devrim said without looking backward. The Emperor knew better than to give away their suspicion. They wandered off the path and across the wide plains. Finally allowed to take the lead, Gandr aimed them toward the the most direct route to the land of magic. They passed many farms and a string of small towns that barely gave them pause. As the day wore on, Gandr's suspicions were confirmed. They were definitely being followed.

Unfortunately, the person that was trailing them was so far back that they were virtually uncatchable. Every time that the company could see the outline of a figure against the horizon, it would disappear as soon as they turned to ride toward it. Once, Junayd even stayed behind and hid, hoping to catch the stalker, but somehow the stranger was onto the scheme and stayed back waiting for the soldier to move on. It was as if some invisible tether kept the follower at a certain length, and nothing they could do would bring them closer.

The men had a conference during their afternoon break. "Do you think he is dangerous?" Junayd asked Gandr.

The halfling thought before answering. Pulling at his chin, he shook his head. "I do not believe so. Maybe he is a scout or something. But I do not think he means to attack us by himself."

"Then we will wait until dark to catch him. Once we make camp, we will have a good meal and set a fire. If we seem like we have let down our guard, perhaps he will also," Devrim hoped.

"Then Gandr and I can circle back and catch our pursuer and get some straight answers." Junayd liked their plan. His face broke into a grin as he pictured the enemy's startled face.

"Exactly." Devrim nodded.

"I always did like a good chase," Gandr was also grinning, but the Emperor's scowl made his face turn serious. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I know what is at stake."

They rode on into the evening until they found a suitable spot to camp near a stream. A lone tree shaded them from the multitude of stars overhead. After refilling their water-skins and having a light meal, the three pretended to settle down for the night. The late spring weather was wet but not unpleasant and so the travelers pitched their one-man tents but left them open to the air. Because they were not yet far from Valiant, the outdoor sounds were still familiar and welcoming. The three pretended to go to bed, but actually took their places to catch their silent follower. While Devrim manned the tents, Gandr and Juanyd stalked back through the fields, moving with the tall grass as they ghosted across the landscape.

It was not long before Gandr could hear the soft whinny of a horse and someone shushing the steed. "He did not camp too far off," the halfling whispered to the soldier. The two stopped for a long time, listening. Sneaking up on the figure, Gandr's jaw dropped in surprise. The figure was cloaked, but Gandr could clearly see how small their frame actually was. Junayd was similarly perplexed by what he saw.

"Get that one back to the Emperor for questioning. I have something I need to check out." Gandr disappeared into the blackness of the night before Junayd could respond. "I thought this was going to be fun." The soldier sighed, and charged ahead into the fray.

----------

Devrim waited, silent and still, in the camp while his men did their job. The Emperor had wanted to take charge of the mission, but he had too much tension with Gandr and did not wish to put them both at risk. Waiting was worse than action, and the man tried to remain calm in the darkness. He closed his eyes and listened to the noises of the night. While his hearing was not as good as the gnomes' or elves', it was sufficient to keep him safe from an assailant if he focused.

After a time, He could hear footsteps coming his way from the south. They were determined and not stealthy. Through the grass, Devrim could see a man leading a horse. When they were close enough, Devrim called to the soldier, "Did you catch him?"

"I found our stalker, but I could not bring myself to capture them." Junayd looked guilty. "I hope you will forgive me, Sire."

"What do you mean? What did he do to you?" Devrim stood and tried to guess the meaning of what his guard had said.

"That's the problem, actually. It was not a 'he' at all."

From behind Junayd, a feminine figure stepped into view. "Hello, Father. I can explain."