Renat!

"I still wish we knew what Empress was hiding from us," Renat complained once again as they continued on their third day of travel. Despite Mairwen's urgings to hurry, the more cautious men had kept a steady pace hoping to get more information--or even an all clear--before entering Valiant. "I do not like the feeling that we are being kept in the dark."

Mairwen glanced toward Alaron. While he had not voiced an opinion on the issue, he seemed to agree with the lanky scientist. "As I have said, mother must be hurt more badly than she let on. You saw the bandage on her face, right? How many more bandages could she have that were not visible in the mirror. She could be missing a leg for all we know."

"A leg?" Alaron pushed back his hood and eyed her critically.

"A leg!?" Renat's voice cracked.

Mairwen pinched the bridge of her nose as her body rose and fell to the rhythm of her horse. " I doubt that happened, but there is no use speculating. We need to wait until she contacts us again to give us the full story."

The answer was enough to quell the scientist's curiosity, and for a time, they rode on in silence. The Princess looked at her twin and realized that although she had aged into quite the womanly figure, her brother was frozen in time at sixteen. If not for being a Guardian, he might have grown quite tall, although he was much taller than average anyway.

If people saw them together now, they would be more likely to guess that they were younger brother and older sister than twins. And someday they might even guess that he was her son! Mairwen giggled.

Alaron noticed the young woman staring at him and knew he was the source of some internal joke. "What is so funny?" he asked with one eyebrow raised.

"Oh nothing really. Just imagining me old and grey an you as handsome as ever. It really isn't fair," she teased.

The Guardian chuckled. "Best not to think about that too much. Your head will spin."

As the trees around them began to thin, Alaron flipped his hood back in place once more. His pleasant face disappeared behind the black void of the magical cape.

"We should see Valiant on the horizon any moment," he commented, his voice growing deep and less familiar. Mairwen wondered if it was an effect of the hood or if her brother was trying to disguise himself. Either way the result made her shiver.

Like a dutiful child that had been called, the city of Valiant peeked over the edge of the world. At first all the four could see were the tallest spires of the Castle Valiant, then the utmost part of the University, and finally the entire city rolled up from its hiding place like the dawning sun.

The newly constructed, sturdy outer walls of the capital shone an alabaster white in the radiance of daylight: a beacon of humanity.

"Such a beautiful sight," Eira said, putting words to what each was feeling. Despite her imperfections, Valiant was home.

"We must not bring attention to ourselves. You should all put up your hoods too," Alaron advised.

"But!" The soldier indicated her armor. Although it was covered by a navy cloak, the armor was bulky and its shape was still visible.

"I see your point," the Guardian agreed. You will be more suspicious hiding your armor than wearing it openly. Well, then, put on your helmet such that it covers your face. We will go in separately from you and meet inside."

"I believe there is a tavern at the west gate called 'The Sitting Duck'. We could meet back up there," Renat suggested. He immediately knew by the silence that he had stepped into some sort of mess.

"How in the world do you know the location of a tavern in town?" The princess asked evenly. There was an undeniable edge to her voice.

Renat realized his error. He wasn't a drinker and scholars did not tend to socialize in such raucous noise. That only left the scantily clad women as the most likely attraction. Beads of sweat formed on the man's brow as his ears began to burn.

"I heard it from Junayd!" He hastily defended himself. "The advisor told me that before he became close with Luna, it was his favorite place to go."

"Doesn't surprise me," the prince responded as he rolled his eyes. "I would bet that there isn't a woman in Valiant who doesn't at least know Junayd's name."

Mairwen's grip on the reins slackened slightly, her shoulders relaxing while the tension left her body. "I see. Then it sounds like a most excellent place to meet. Though if anyone should know your name..."

"No one will," Renat promised her. "I have never been there."

"You two should go into town separately from me also. No one will pay any mind to a loving couple on horseback. Odds are I'm going to be stopped no matter what thanks to my Guardian's cloak. The lack of visible face makes those who don't know why suspicious and those who do curious. Either way, I am due for a chat with the guards."

With things settled, the group split into three. As expected, the princess and her spouse easily passed through the gate having only to state their business and length off their stay.

Eira saluted as she passed, receiving a corresponding gesture from the gatekeepers. The insignia on her armor indicated she was not someone that should be angered.

Alaron nearly slipped through, however he was caught by his own cleverness in the end when he got off the horse and let it enter riderless. The guard caught it and called for its rider, forcing Alaron to double back. Finally, they all were through.

Now they only had to find the meeting point. After a time of searching, Mairwen dismounted.

"I thought you knew where you were going," Mairwen teased her husband with an amused grin. She stopped a man in the street. "Please sir, could you point us to the Sitting Duck?" He pointed and they adjusted their aim.

"As I said, I have never been there!" Renat said quietly. He leapt to the ground beside his wife, pulling the reins of his horse behind him as the couple walked through the crowded streets. It did not take long before Renat spotted their query. "Look!"

There before them a sign was posted above the door with the emblem of a duck for those who could not read. Relieved, the couple tied of their horses outside the questionable establishment. Entering the dark tavern, Renat could hardly see after the overwhelming brightness of the day outside. It seemed, however, that someone could see him.

"Renat, you old dog! I thought you weren't going to be back again until next week. Couldn't stay away could you?" a friendly voice called.

When the scientist's eyes adjusted, he realized the person addressing him was a muscular man with a large underbite that made him resemble a bulldog. What was worse, he was the barkeep. Renat could practically see smoke coming out of his wife's ears.

"You said," she began.

"I don't know him!" The lanky man protested.

A laughter overshadowed their argument as the cloaked figure at the end of the bar tossed a coin to the barkeep. "Thank you, that was perfect." He turned his face to the couple still chuckling. "You should see your faces. Priceless."

"You!" Renat's confusion turned to anger, but Alaron held up his hands in defense.

"I don't get to treat you like a brother-in-law very often. It was a harmless prank. Anyway, it was Eira's idea."

The soldier, who was sitting next to him, stiffened at the mention of her name. "Do not give me credit! I simply said it would be funny if someone recognized His Highness."

"And it was. Good work, Eira." Alaron praised her. He was confused when he received an unappreciative grimace in return.

"We should get something to eat and head out as soon as possible," Mairwen pulled her cloak around herself.

"Sounds good," Alaron agreed. "Barkeep, what is good here?"

The barkeep shrugged and smiled, revealing a silver tooth. "We only have one dish."

The Guardian nodded. "Excellent! We will take four of the house specialty." They found a table and waited as the bulldog of a man went to find something edible for his patrons. "I can totally see why Junayd likes this place," Alaron mused as he stroked his chin, his hand disappearing beneath his hood.

They made their way to a table and sat down. Fortunately, the place was not very full as it was still the middle of the day. Just as they were getting comfortable, another interruption occurred.

"Renat?" a voice asked tentatively, then with an extra slur added more forcefully, "RENAT! I thought that was you!" The short man was clearly drunk and barely able to stand.

"Again?" Mairwen glared at her brother.

"This wasn't me," the silver-eyed man asserted. "I know when to make a joke and when to end it."

"You know this man?" The princess asked her husband.

Renat slumped his shoulders. "Yes, but not from here." The other three looked at him curiously as the swaying drunk nearly fell into his lap. "Sit down," he told the man with a sigh. "This is my brother Amaki's best friend. I would like you to meet Pete."