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The conversation with the Mayor of Hirshall took almost two hours in total. DG held nothing back; she was brutally honest in her dictation of the events leading up to Azkadellia's possession by the Witch known to most as the Sorceress. She made no attempt at hiding or playing down her own role in it, nor did she try to use her age at the time as an excuse. She described what happened after her death as a child at the Witch's hands and took care never to use Azkadellia's name as she spoke about their mother's sacrifice or the question she'd found herself on following her return to the OZ. She only referred to Azkadellia by name when she spoke of her sister separating from the Witch and being strong and brave enough to take her hand at the top of the tower.

He'd sat down, stood up, paced and sat down again throughout their conversation. DG had forced herself to remain sitting, though it'd taken a lot of effort to do so. She crossed her legs at the ankles, not because it was how she'd been taught as the proper way to sit but because it kept her legs still. She clasped her hands in her lap, not because it was ladylike but because it kept her from fidgeting.

"Is..." Joseph stopped himself, though DG suspected it was more because she'd answered all of his questions with unfailing honesty rather and was wary of what the answer she'd give to his last question would be. "You said Princess Azkadellia is still recovering?"

"She is. She has a lot to recover from." The sigh that escaped her was heavy and guilt-ridden. "She's doing better these days, but I'm told it'll be a slow process. Time is the greatest healer, or so everyone keeps telling me."

"You're doing your best to help her." It was a sure statement, not a question, but she responded anyway.

"I'm trying, but I feel helpless sometimes," DG admitted quietly. "There's only so much I can do, which is one of the reasons I'm here. To help everyone see my sister for who she really is and not as the Witch who wore her face for so many annuals."

He nodded in acknowledgement but let silence fall between them for a while. It was broken by the sound of someone knocking on the door a few moments later. "Come in."

Rafe entered the room, giving a small bow to DG, which made her roll her eyes. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but it's getting late, Your Highness. I thought you'd want some time to gather yourself before you join Lord Tilton for evening meal."

"Do I really have to do that?" The question slipped out before she could stop it and DG sighed inwardly, almost hearing Az's snort of amusement and her mother's gentle admonishment. For his part, the Mayor made a bad job of smothering a chuckle with a cough, while Rafe did nothing to hide his smirk. "If I must, I must." She got to her feet, a little stiff from both a day in the saddle and from sitting for so long. "Thank you for giving me so much of your time, Mr Skipton. If you could get that list of what your people need here to either myself or Lord Ambrose before we leave tomorrow, we'll see what we can do to get it to you."

"We'd appreciate it, Princess. And I appreciate your candour, too. Not many Royals would be as open as you have." Though Joseph bowed his head in respect to her, DG caught the concern that flittered across Rafe's face. She rolled her eyes again, knowing she was in for a grilling so the head of her guard could dutifully report back to his once and soon to be commander, who would no doubt repeat it all to said Captain's father. "I'll see you in the mornin'. The people of Hirshall won't forget your visit."

"I hope in a good way," DG returned, and let Rafe lead her from the room and the house. She kept her silence until they were halfway down the street, headed towards the Inn where Glitch had made arrangements for them to stay overnight. "You don't have to look so worried. I haven't said anything that would cause a diplomatic incident or have the people of the town trying to kill us in our sleep. Well, I'm pretty sure I didn't, anyway. Might be best if you stay alert, just in case."

The look he threw her made her laugh until she realised it was the first time she could remember genuinely laughing in a long time and then felt sad. She stifled a sigh and looked around as they made their way towards the inn.

"Where are Raw and Glitch?" She asked, realising that she'd seen neither of them for some time.

"Lord Ambrose is speaking with some of the townspeople about their agriculture systems. It appears he has a lot of suggestions on how they can improve it." This was said with a small smirk, one DG understood. Once Glitch got talking on a subject he was passionate about; there was nothing else to do but sit back and wait for him to finish. "Master Raw is helping the town's healers. I don't know what he's doin' exactly, but they're mighty appreciative."

She smiled, affection for her friends swelling inside her. "What time do you expect Bates to get back to us?" A flutter of nerves started in her stomach as Rafe considered his answer, but since she couldn't be sure if it was because she was hoping for a response or dreading it, DG did her best to temper it down.

"If he made good time and didn't encounter any issues, he could be back tonight," Rafe told her after a moment. "If he had to stop along the way, I'd expect him back sometime after first light tomorrow. Depends where on the road he found 'em."

DG nodded, slowly processing the words and what it meant as she let him precede her into the building.

The Innkeeper and his wife stood to greet her, nervous smiles on their faces even as they bowed and curtsied respectively. "Your Highness. Welcome to our home. We are honoured to host you and your party during your stay in our town."

"Thank you for your hospitality. It's very much appreciated." And it was, but DG also appreciated it when Rafe insisted on showing her to her room for the night so she could get ready.

As much as she didn't mind camping, even if she had been denied the opportunity to sleep out under the stars, she did miss having a proper bed to sleep on at night, not to mention having a private bathroom a few feet away with everything it offered that the great outdoors couldn't.

Her mother and sister had insisted she pack some gowns for her tour and DG had unwilling agreed, knowing there would be some formal occasions she would be unable to talk her way out of. It wasn't just the everyday people of the OZ she needed to get on side; it was anyone and everyone who might one day be a threat to her family.

She allowed herself the luxury of a quick bath before using her light to make the wooden trunk she took out of her backpack full size. It was a nifty little trick Azkadellia had taught her, a way to seemingly travel light while having a miniature wardrobe of clothes for every occasion at her disposal.

DG chose a green dress at random, trusting her mother wouldn't have sent her with anything inappropriate, and reluctantly finished getting ready for her evening meal with Lord Tilton. She studied her reflection, trying to see herself beneath the glossy finish of the Princess staring back at her.

She was still in there, just very well hidden. She wondered if one day she'd stare at her reflection and forget the person she used to be, if the DG of old would be lost because she forgot to look for her.

The knock at her door was a polite reminder of the obligation she had to fulfil. Rafe had insisted on accompanying her, though he wouldn't be permitted to join her and Lord Tilton for supper. She suspected there'd already been a discussion between her guards and they'd agreed to take it in turns to go with her when she was extended invitations she was unable to turn down . Though she was meeting with nobility, she was no safer in the grand houses of the OZ than she was walking through a town or in the woods.

Squaring her shoulders, she slid her feet into the matching heels she'd found in the trunk and went to face her fate.

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