Same Page...Different Book

The Princess had already started to argue before she processed her father's words. "No, I think we need to...what did you say?"

Devrim cleared his throat and pulled her into a secluded hall. "I know you probably want to stay and fight, but anyone who sees Renat is going to instinctively try to kill him. The only way to give Renat a chance is to get him out before everything begins."

"It's interesting you should say that, because I was just going to tell you that we were leaving as soon as possible," Mairwen told him as she tucked her dark hair behind her ear.

"You mean we are both on the same page for once?" Devrim raised his eyebrows.

The princess smiled gently. "If that page includes Alaron, Eira, Renat and I continuing our mission to find and save Dania, then yes..."

The Emperor frowned. "We are not even in the same book."

"Saving Dania was what I set out to do from the beginning. I will not abandon it just because Taran has an army. If anything, that makes me more determined. If Dania is caught up in the mess, she may be the only one who knows how to fix it."

"Fix it? You mean she might have a way to help Renat?" Devrim had not been fond of the idea of Mairwen getting married, but he really did like his son-in-law. If there was a way to help him, he would.

"Since the Fates do not seem to know anything about this transformation, I think Dania might be the only being who can put things to right." Mairwen felt deep inside herself that this was true.

Devrim thought for a moment. "You may be right... I don't like this plan of yours," he sighed and shook his head. "...but I also cannot stop you. Or at least I will not stop you. When the battle is over here, we will head north to find you at the barrier. Just...please promise me you will be careful."

The Emperor's halting speech was testament to how torn he was. Any decision would not be easy, but this one was fully out of his hands. The best he could do was advise caution.

"I will try to be careful, but you know how our family is..." Mairwen wrapped her arms around her father's neck. "The good news is we always seem to make it through. It will be ok."

Devrim hoped her words were true. When she pulled away, he clasped her hands in his. "I have sent Junayd to prepare for your departure. I might have been planning to send you out with the civilians whether you liked it or not," he looked at her unrepentantly, "so that should provide you enough distraction to get on your way."

"Thank you, Father. I know you will feel better knowing I am not part of this battle."

The dark eyebrows of the Emperor knitted together. "I would feel better if you found a place out of danger to hide until this was all over, but I realize now that is too much to ask." His face softened as he admitted defeat.

The will to protect others was just too great among the royals of Valiant. It was a blessing for their subjects but a burden for those who loved the faithful rulers.

Devrim sighed. "Be safe."

Mairwen nodded. "You too. I imagine mother will be very upset if we died from being careless."

"Good point. On that note, you better try to get Renat turned back into a human before Aurora finds out, just to be safe." Devrim was only half joking. He knew the Empress would not blame either of them for what happened, but the thought of telling her that her son-in-law had met with such a terrible fate made them both shudder.

"Agreed. I will go back and inform the others of the plan. We will be ready as soon as the water is low enough to safely travel." Mairwen turned to leave, but ran straight into Junayd instead. It was one of those days, it seemed, where grace and charms had given way for clumsiness.

"Advisor Junayd," the princess curtsied.

"Forgive me, princess." Junayd looked flustered. He bowed quickly. Shifting his gaze to the Emperor, the former soldier hesitated. "The thing you asked me to do is all arranged," he said vaguely, his eyes shifting between the two royals.

Devrim sighed, "Mairwen has agreed to leave willingly. There is no need to hide our plans."

Breathing a sigh of relief, the man's face visibly relaxed. He had neither wanted to trick the princess nor offend the Emperor.

"There is a small flatbed cart ready to help transport all of you covertly out of the city. It has a...hidden compartment. I told the shopkeeper he isn't getting back the cart and he understood. Or at least he didn't argue because he didn't want to be prosecuted."

The advisor smiled. He would be lying if he didn't like seeing the less than honest businessman squirm a little. In the future, the shop owner would think twice before trying to swindle his Empire out of the due taxes.

"You are very resourceful, Junayd. I don't know how you always find what we need so quickly," Devrim had noticed how the former general could come up with almost any item instantly.

"I have many connections, Your Majesty. I always keep my ear to the ground." Junayd moved his arm with a flourish, very proud of his accomplishment.

Mairwen remembered how quickly the advisor had picked up on the wild rumors of the tryst between her and Alaron. He was the most connected man she knew by far. If there was a tidbit of gossip anywhere nearby, Junayd was sure to gather it into his arsenal. The princess was very glad he was on her side.

"Thank you for your help, Advisor. When you are finished talking to father, I would be very appreciative if you would show me the cart and how to use it."

"Before you go, princess, I would like to give you this to take." Junayd presented Zan's Guardian's cloak, neatly folded and clean. "I know you had it returned to my room last night, but I think Zan would want you to have it. While it will not provide me much protection in battle, it should help you as you leave to not be recognized."

"And I know for a fact that cape has many secrets. It will help you on your mission as well." Devrim added.

"Mission?" Junayd released the cloak into Mairwen's hands.

"The princess is still going after Dania." Devrim said with a hint of disapproval, which was an improvement from his previous state. Mixed in was also a small amount of pride.

Junayd did not seem surprised. He had never seen a royal give up on a task yet. "I wish you well on your journey, Princess Mairwen."

"I will see you soon, Advisor Junayd. You know where to find me." Mairwen left the two men to discuss whatever remaining business they had. She was anxious to tell the others that a plan was in place to get them out of the city.

However when she got to the room, Duchess Ashleigh was waiting for her with Renat. The brown wolf was relieved to see his wife. He had been sitting on the edge of the bed conversing awkwardly with the older woman with a strange expression on his hairy face.

He nodded toward his wife. "The duchess tells me that Junayd has secured transport. Are we really to head out with the citizens?"

"I believe it is the best way to leave without drawing suspicion. I also want to make sure the people make it out of the valley safely. They are innocent civilians of Valiant."

Mairwen had not felt good just abandoning innocent people as they fled their homes. Even with Gandr in the lead, something could still go wrong.

Now that she was going out with them, the princess felt it was her duty to look over them. Once they were out of harm's way, she would be able to head northward with a clear conscience.

"Your aim is honorable," Ashleigh said, "though I'm not sure what you will be able to do if things go sideways. But I do not think you traveling as the princess is wise. Should a citizen be captured or feel cornered, they may give you up to save themselves."

Mairwen did not like to think about any of her citizens betraying her, but it did happen. And crowds in tense situations were unpredictable.

Ashleigh held up a box which was sitting in her lap. "I brought you something to help disguise you. It was a gift from Ravenna many years ago, but I have never found need of it."

Inside, a bulky grey-green coif of hair sat proudly in a simple style.

"Ravenna said she was sure I would enjoy the versatility of wigs once I started. I decided never to start. But it is plain enough that, with a little makeup to help, I think it would hide your identity well." Ashleigh set the box on the bed.

Mairwen hesitated. The wig, although very tame for Ravenna, was still a bit much for the civilians of Oblivion. It would stand out and bring her the attention that she wanted to avoid. The princess was trying to delicately refuse when Alaron entered hidden beneath hid hood.

Sighing in relief, Mairwen got an idea. "Thank you for the offer. It is a great idea, and I do want your help, but I have one slight improvement."

She whispered in her brother's ear.

Alaron's brow furrowed. "You mean that thing that used to belong to Cafer. Yeah, I have it, why?"

From his cloak, the Guardian pulled a golden comb with multicolored jewels. Aurora had given it to him when she had realized he had become a Guardian. Thus far he had never had use for it, allowing his hair to be white, wild and untamed. He passed the comb to his sister.

Alaron glanced at the box on the bed. His face paled. "And what in the world is that?!"

The princess smiled mischievously. "A wig. It's time for a makeover, brother. I do hope you are ready."

"…makeover?"

Alaron took a step back, but there was no escape. He would have a new face whether he liked it or not.