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They arrived at their first official stop just a little bit behind schedule. A courier bird had been sent ahead to let the Mayor and townspeople know, and they didn't seem to mind her tardiness. The Lord who was based in the area and saw himself as the Queen's right-hand man in the West was not as forgiving.

"Princess DG," Lord Tilton greeted her, his green eyes raking over her in disapproval. Clearly he didn't approve of her choice of travelling attire, which was a pair of dark blue trousers as close to jeans as she could get on the Other Side, a loose tunic style top in a lighter shade of blue and a long tan leather jacket she'd taken a liking to because it reminded her of a certain Tin Man's duster. "You finally see fit to grace us with your presence."

Someone made a growling sound behind her as they stood in the entrance hall of Lord Tilton's impressive house situated on the outskirts of the town of Hirshall; she wasn't sure if it was Raw, Glitch or one of her guards.

"My apologies, Lord Tilton. I did send a message explaining we had been unavoidable delayed leaving Central City." A little white lie but one DG thought better than the truth, which still confused her. "My parents send you their regards and look forward to welcoming you to the city for the anniversary of the eclipse celebrations."

At the mention of the Queen and Consort, Lord Tilton stood a little straighter. "I look forward to being welcomed by them, Princess."

He preened like a peacock, DG thought, but managed to keep the polite smile on her lips. "I'll be sure to let them know. Would it be acceptable to visit with the people of Hirshall now, Lord Tilton, or should we wait until morning?"

The Lord's top lip curled up in a small sneer before he was able to control it. "The people of Hirshall are, how can I put it, less refined in their tastes, Princess. Perhaps you would prefer to rest tonight at my home and visit them in the morning?"

"Thank you for your offer of hospitality, but I understand arrangements have already been made for myself and my party." Silently thanking Glitch for his foresight to arrange their lodgings in the towns and villages they were scheduled to visit, DG gave Tilton what she hoped was a quelling smile. "Would you like to join us on our tour of the town, my Lord? I'd be very interested to hear how you led them during the Witch's reign."

He hadn't led them at all, DG knew. He'd all but abandoned them, and the servants who'd been left to take care of the grand house he called home. From what they'd been able to discern, the Lord had fled to one of the neighbouring countries to avoid having to choose a side if the Sorceress came to call. The people he'd been trusted to protect by the queen had been left to fend for themselves against Longcoats and famine, forced to ensure the darkness of the last fifteen annuals without guidance like so many others in the realm.

It was something DG had discussed at length with her family, Glitch and Raw; DG wanted those who'd abandoned their people and the Queen herself in their time of need to be held accountable, but her mother had suggested a need for caution and patience. Members of the Queen's Royal Advisors were amongst them, and though Ahamo had explained his wife's reluctance came from a need to project stability in the court rather than a desire to protect them, DG was frustrated with having to wait. She tried to understand that her family had to bide their time, to make sure the country was settled and the crown secure before they could act but it played heavily on her mind and her heart when she saw the true suffering of the Oz's people.

She kept her silence for Azkadellia's sake, not wanting to do or say anything that would cause her sister to be further isolated. Her sister was healing, but she was still fragile, struggling with the burden of memories her possession had forced upon her.

As the Daughter of Light who had held the emerald during the events of the eclipse, it was assumed Azkadellia would be declared Heir Apparent when the time was right. Her sister disagreed with it, confessing to DG that she feared the prophecy was being taken too literally. It was DG who had retrieved the prized gem, who had been entrusted with it by its guardian, and the Witch who had taken it from her and worn it during the eclipse.

She'd cried in DG's arms on more than one occasion that if she struggled to look at her reflection and not see the woman responsible for such heinous crimes against the OZ, then how could she expect the people of the OZ to look at her and see someone different?

DG's reason for touring the realm was two-fold, though she'd been careful to keep her plans to herself. Though she didn't doubt her parents would understand, she suspected they would deem it too soon to embark on the personal mission she'd set herself.

"I'm afraid I have duties to attend to here, Princess." Lord Tilton gestured vaguely to their plush surroundings. "Please do join me for your evening meal at least. It would be an honour to be able to speak with you further, Princess."

The men who travelled with her weren't included in the invitation, and DG knew she had little choice but to accept. She could have insisted on Glitch attending alongside her; after all, he was Lord Ambrose, which put him on equal footing with Tilton, but she wouldn't do that to her friend. The Glitch side of his brain hated having to be formal almost as much as she did. Besides, that would be an insult to her host, and the House of Gale couldn't afford to make any new enemies. "Of course."

Leaving the nobles opulent major and heading into Hirshall itself, the two lifestyles couldn't have been further apart. A simple street lined on either side with modest buildings, many of them in desperate need of repair, was all the town consisted of. And though the man who waited to greet them held the title of Mayor, there was nothing pompous about the former sheriff alleviated to the title. Elected by the people because he'd stuck around and offered leadership where there was none, DG immediately warmed to Joseph Skipton and quietly marked him in her mind as a potential ally and replacement for Lord Tilton.

"We're proud you chose to add us to your list of places to visit, Princess," Joseph told her as they walked through the town together. He'd been surprised that she'd actually wanted to walk around, having expected her visit to be a far more formal affair with a safe distance between herself and the people who lived there. At her insistence, they walked the length of the town, and he introduced her to each and every person they met. "Can I ask why you chose us? I'm sure there are prettier places than Hirshall."

"I'm not interested in pretty. I want to see the real." She gave him a small smile and shook her head at his confused look. "My family and I discussed it at length. We want to make sure everyone gets the support and help they need to rebuild and start the long road to recovery. As much as we should be able to rely on the nobility of the OZ to tell us what that is for their people, we weren't sure we could. People have a tendency to tell half-truths at times such as this, and to focus on what they believe the people want rather than what they need."

It was interesting but unsurprising that he didn't deny it or try to defend Lord Tilton. "We're a resilient folk here. Luckier than some, I don't dare say. There's some things we could use, that's a given. Your Lord Ambrose is already workin' on some of it, and we're appreciative of that and Master Raw helping out, too."

DG smiled a little at the mention of her friends, both of whom had set about doing what they could to help the townspeople already. "Tell me what you need, and I'll do my best to arrange it. Some things might take longer than others but I give you my word Hirshall, and its people won't be forgotten by the House of Gale."

"That's a mighty promise, Highness, and one that'll mean a great deal to folk around these parts." Joseph motioned for her to precede him into the last building at the end of the row that made up the town. It was where he'd made his home, and his office, the first building any strangers coming into town from the main roads would encounter. He'd made himself the town's first line of defence, and DG couldn't help but think it was something Cain would likely commend him for. "There is something you could help us with here and now, Princess. If it's not askin' too much."

There was little she could think of that he and his people could ask for that she'd be unwilling to give freely, so DG was curious at the sudden uncertainty in his expression. "Ask away."

Joseph hesitated for a moment, standing beside the window of his office as DG stood just inside the room next to his desk. Eventually, he turned away from the window to look at her. "We, that is, the townspeople and I would like to know the truth, Princess DG. There are so many stories coming from Central City these days; it's hard to tell the truth from the lies."

"More so because no doubt each version you hear contains an element of both," DG murmured. She broke protocol then, motioning to the chairs beside the desk. "Why won't you sit down and get comfortable, Mr Skipton? The story itself might not be a long one, but I'm sure the questions you have may take a while."

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