Being Followed

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 t