The jolting of the carriage was barely noticeable to Minnie as she pulled her hood tighter against the evening chill creeping through. Beside her, Daisy didn't say anything either, but Minnie suspected in a normal situation she'd be complaining the whole way. In truth, the carriage wasn't much more than a wagon with a cover, fixed up and stored away just in case transportation was needed.

As it turned out, their plan had worked much better than Minnie had thought. To her extreme surprise Daisy had brought in one of the valets: Gerald, the one who'd delivered Mortimer's letter. As it turned out, he was a friend of Donald's and had been asked by him to look out for Daisy.

After hearing their explanation, he was very willing to help. After finding a suitable letter sent to a few recalled staff members, they blotted out the names and Minnie wrote in different ones, since her writing style was similar to her father's. Then she and Daisy put on two servant's uniforms pinched from the laundry room.

Like she'd thought, the guards were far too preoccupied to ask many questions about the letter and one look at the seal had settled any doubts. There was a close call when some well-meaning soldiers had offered to accompany them, but Gerald had pointed out that with the attacker about to be caught and thieves rare in these parts, there wasn't much danger. And besides, having guards with such simple travelers would probably draw more attention than not having them.

The soldiers had reluctantly agreed, but urged them to be careful and send a message once they reached their destination. That had worried Minnie a little bit, but Gerald had quickly assured her that he could cover for them.

Now that they were safely on their way, Minnie's worries had turned to Mickey. An overwhelming fear for his condition was growing in her, along with a sense of dread at what they might find. What if he didn't make it? What if… he already…

No.

She shook her head, trying to drive the thought out.

Don't even think like that. Just don't.

A gentle hand rested on her arm, and she looked up to see Daisy looking at her with concern.

"Are you okay?"

Minnie was slightly surprised at the lack of propriety, but it filled her with gratitude all the same. She gave Daisy a weak smile.

"As much as I can be, I guess."

Daisy patted her arm, then they sat in silence for a while as the carriage creaked and jolted. Finally, Daisy cleared her throat.

"So, um… any ideas for what to do when we get there?"

Minnie clasped her hands in her lap, frowning. She'd had the foresight to bring some other clothes, since their current ones wouldn't open many doors, but she still wasn't sure what to do. To be honest, she hadn't thought about it much over her worry for Mickey.

"Well, we can't go trying to sneak in the castle. I'm sure security will be tight, and getting caught would be trouble."

She rubbed her arms and let out a frustrated sigh.

"But if we ask first, they'll still have plenty of questions. And odds are we'd still end up in trouble.

She glanced at Daisy, who was already deep in thought.

"Well…" she said slowly. "Maybe if you say you want to help him…"

Minnie's ears pricked, she hadn't thought about that. But then she thought it through and frowned.

"I don't know… It's a good thought, but we don't exactly look like doctors and unless we had something to offer…"

She trailed off and both girls sat in silence, trying to think. Before long, the sound of late-night city goings on began seeping in and the carriage slowed a little. Gerald's quiet voice came from outside.

"Excuse me, ladies, but we're getting close."

Minnie felt her ears droop as Daisy sighed.

"Well, maybe we can think of something after we stop."

The princess didn't answer as she reached down and picked up the bundle of clothes on the floor. The group had agreed beforehand to stop in the main square, in order to get their bearings and perhaps gather information. Minnie hoped they might learn something useful, but local gossip usually wasn't too reliable.

Finally the carriage came to a stop, and she and Daisy stood to get out. Minnie felt a gentle pat on her back.

"It'll be okay."

Gerald opened the door and gave her and Daisy a hand out.

"There's an inn we can stay at for now." He looked at Minnie and gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, m' lady, we'll think of something."

Minnie couldn't help smiling back, but her heart wasn't in it. If anyone would think of something, it would have to be him or Daisy; it looked like the plan she'd thought of had only gotten them into another mess… and she was no closer to seeing Mickey.

As Gerald and Daisy headed toward the inn, Minnie hung back. The streets were relatively quiet at this time of night, with only a few people hurrying back and forth in the lamplight, but light and conversation still filtered from windows and closed doors of the surrounding buildings. The talk seemed subdued, and Minnie caught some when a door opened.

"… heard it's not healing. It looks bad."

"Just terrible. And so much promise, too…"

The door closed. Minnie felt her throat tighten and her eyes filled with tears; even if she hadn't heard a name, she knew what they were talking about. She slowly turned and walked to the inn, struggling not to cry.

Mickey… I'm so sorry…

She pulled open the door and stepped in, looking around for Gerald and Daisy in the common room, which was full of people.

All of a sudden, a hand clapped on her shoulder. Letting out a startled squeak, Minnie whirled around to see a face she'd have never expected.

"Lands sakes!" the cow exclaimed, a huge grin on her face. "I wasn't sure when I first saw you, but no doubt about it!"

Minnie stared, her eyes wide.

"You… you're the one who gave me the book! But… but why are you here?"

The cow waved a hand in the air.

"That's me, Clarabelle Cow. I told my friend Clara Cluck about you two, and she knows a laundress at the castle who told her what happened and she told me. Simply awful… and such a nice boy, too. Anyway, remedies aren't one of my specialties but I do have a few things, n' I just didn't feel right not trying t' help…"

Minnie gasped, hardly believing her ears. Her shock was suddenly replaced with anger.

"Then what are you doing here? Why aren't you helping him!?"

Clarabelle cleared her throat, looking embarrassed.

"Er, well… see, a few years back I spread something around about one of the big boys up there… something I had no idea wasn't true, mind you! Long story short, now most folks think I'm off my rocker and I'm not allowed around there anymore."

Minnie bit her lip as more tears came, and she couldn't help feeling irritated at Clarabelle even though she barely knew her. Clarabelle didn't seem to notice as she smiled widely.

"But finding YOU here! Gracious, that changes everything!"

She began digging in her bag as Minnie watched in confusion.

"What are you talking about?" she asked, but Clarabelle was too absorbed in her search.

"Hmm… No… no, not that… ah ha! Here it is!"

She pulled out a bottle with a triumphant flourish, then took one of Minnie's hands and handed it to her.

"Now, this is a salve I made special. It isn't strong enough to do all the healing, but it should help." She smiled. "And having a friend there can't hurt either."

"Minnie!"

The princess whirled around to see Daisy hurrying toward her with Gerald close behind, both looking concerned.

"Minnie, who was that?" Daisy asked anxiously.

Minnie turned, only to find that Clarabelle had disappeared. She blinked in surprise, then slowly looked at the bottle still in her hand. Daisy frowned in confusion and placed her hands on Minnie's shoulders.

"What happened? Who was that?"

Minnie lifted the bottle, then felt a smile form on her face as her heart lifted.

"I think that was the person who just gave us the answer to our problem."