Visara's power grew again after the death of her mother. Her loss awoke something in her. Something that had been hidden by all her mothers teaching on kindness, love and respect. Even though she was her mother's daughter, she was also the daughter of a god. The wrath of a God is fierce and dangerous. With her mother no longer alive to guide her, Visara was led by this anger and need for vengeance. She used her pain and anger to help people, however. She'd take her vengeance out on the soldiers that whipped centaur slaves. Tearing them to pieces with her bare hands and freeing the centaur young. For her half godly abilities made her strong and almost immortal. Blades couldn't penetrate her skin and poisons could not harm her from the inside. When she returned the centaur young to their herds, they gifted her with their allegiance. Swearing to her in the Blood Oath that they would be loyal and serve her. In return, she promised she would help them. That she would save as many centaur children as she could and free their woodland home from human and fae invaders. The centaurs were her first army.

~The History of the First War of Vivelle. Book One. Chapter One-hundred and Twelve, Verse seventeen.

I don't stop. I have no idea how far these plains go on for. The road we race down takes us in a straight line, passing hundreds of fields of food. I look back. We've come so far now, that I can't see the cliff or the castle. Though the mountains barely look bigger. Occasionally, we pass a few little huts. I guess this is where the farmers whose fields are all the way out here stay. Working during the week, tending and harvesting their fields before making the journey back.

I don't know how long we've run for. We left during the night and dawn has long past. I am grateful that Emlyn was able to get my warhorse. A regular horse would not have been able to make this journey at this speed. Trouble has strong, powerful muscles. Though, even now he begins to huff.

I spot another farming hut in the distance. A man works outside of it. I pull Trouble to a halt. He stares up at me with wide eyes. I tower above him, the size of Trouble's body casting him in a shadow.

"Princess?" he asks, shaking as he bows slowly.

"No need to bow," I smile. "Do you mind if my horse drinks from your trough?" I ask him. He nods his head quickly and I allow Trouble to gulp up the water that sits in the metal container. Judging by the fact he has two horses attached to a farming cart, I guess the water is for them.

Trouble slurps the water greedily.

"There will be people coming after me," I tell him. "I suggest you aren't here when they arrive," I warn. He nods his head quickly. "Thank you," I smile at him. He smiles back, bowing again.

"Best of luck, Princess. We will await your victorious return. Take some of my fruits. Perhaps they will help you during your journey," he says handing me a bag of his produce. "and some of my water. You'll need it in this heat. The woodlands are still two days ride away. The suns blaze will not ease," he warns. I really see him now. His skin is a mixture of glowing brown and pink. Some parts peeling. It is clear he spends all his time working in the sun on his farm. Like all the other thousands trying to make a decent living.

"Thank you," I say again. He smiles back and turns to load his cart. I smile and urge Trouble back into a run, continuing down the straight track. When I turn back, he's finished loading his cart and is pushing over his water trough before picking the now empty container up again. Without a water refreshment, their horses will start to struggle. Even if they are warhorses. Hopefully, the water on the soil road in will dry by the time they reach this area so they won't realise what he's done to try and slow them down.

I then watch as he gets into his cart and urges his horses on, heading back for the city. No doubt he will pass the people who are undoubtedly chasing me. Perhaps he'll tell them that he's been working in his fields all morning and hasn't seen me. I hope they don't hurt him.

We carry on running. The mountains have just started to appear larger. The only problem is we are both getting tired. There are no places to hide either. These lands are flat and full of the produce which feeds the city. There are some abandoned farmers huts here and there which I could sneak into. However, I doubt that those after me will stop. I don't even know how much of a head start I've had. I don't know what to do.

Keep going. We need to keep going. Don't stop until we've reached the woodlands at least. Where there will be more cover and it will be easier to hide. I slow Trouble down to a walk. He could carry on running, but I don't want to wear him out. Opening the bag of fruit the farmer gave me, I smile. Inside are almost ripe Redfruit. Picked just before they were ripe so they would arrive to be sold in the city fresh. I close the bag and tuck it into my backpack. I pull out a small dry biscuit instead. Emlyn has packed me a few. They are tasteless but will last a while before they go off. I eat it quickly and reach for my canteen of water. I've sipped it regularly throughout the day. I've tried to drink as little as possible. Though the farmer's water has definitely helped a lot. Emlyn packed me a large canteen which I'm not even halfway through yet. The other two canteens are bigger still and now hanging off Troubles saddle.

We carry on into the night. It is silent and dark around us. Finally, I decide we should stop for a small break. I give Trouble some more water, pouring it from the canteen into his mouth. I then give him some horse food that Emlyn had packed.

Trouble lies down at the side of the road, resting his legs. I lean against him, watching the moon rise into the sky. I want to sleep, but I can't. Instead, I watch the sky. The stars are bright tonight and occasionally a few fly past. Trouble breathes softly against me, getting a little sleep. I run my hand over his fur softly.

I think of how I came to name him Trouble. He was presented to me not long after he was born. I was fourteen at the time. I watched him in the fields. Always playing and messing around with the other foals. Even messing around with the stable hands. Stealing and moving items when their backs were turned. Making messes just after they cleaned up. I found it hilarious. I called him Trouble one day and the name just seemed to stick.

I sigh and pat him softly. By my estimate, an hour has passed. We should move again. Trouble seems happy to move, the little rest having helped him. I jump onto his back and ignore the ache in my thighs. Trouble takes off again. I decide to make him gallop as fast as he can go for the rest of the night as it is cooler, making it easier for him. It's easier for me too. Now that the sun is no longer relentlessly beating down my skin, I find it slightly easier to feel comfortable whilst riding.

Dawn breaks again and I am shattered. Though I can see the mountains are a lot closer now. I slump against Trouble, my eyes shutting. He is trotting now, having slowed down as the temperature rises. I dare not take off the long-sleeved top that Emlyn provided me with. Or the hat in fear of my skin being burnt. For the next few hours, I find myself falling in and out of light sleep. Though I do wake with a start and Trouble stops suddenly. I look up and around. The farmlands are pretty much empty of workers. Most of them have left to watch the trials. Those who are working are to busy to even pay attention to me. All but one young boy who now stands in front of Trouble.

"Daddy!" the boy shouts. "Look how big this horse is!" A man working in the fields looks over, suddenly panicked.

"Conner!" he shouts, running over and grabbing his son out of Trouble's path. "What the hell were you thinking?" he shouts with a shaking voice. "Don't run in front of horses, he could have crushed you!" The boy starts to cry and his father gives him a hug.

"But it's a pretty horse." The boy's father looks up then, his eyes widening. He falls to his knees and pulls his son down with him.

"Princess, I'm so sorry," he says, not looking up at me. I smile softly.

"Nothing to apologise for. Trouble is a very well trained horse. Your son was in no danger," I tell him. He looks up slowly.

"Princess, what are you doing so far from the city?" he asks. I'm not sure what to answer. Right now, I should be participating in yet another trial. I'm not sure what the tests would have been today.

The father's eyes widen.

"You're doing it, aren't you," he says. I lick my lips nervously. I ever so slightly nod my head. A small movement.

"There is a water trough for our horses against that hut. You may take some. Then leave. I know the type of people after you and I don't want them anywhere near me or my boy." His voice is harsh.

"Thank you," I say to him, taking Trouble to another water trough. He gulps the water greedily again. "Hide in your fields," I warn him. "Keep your boy close. They will not stop for him if he runs into their path," I warn. The man grabs his son and drags him into his field. I urge Trouble on again.

We continue for the next few hours without a problem. The road we travel on leads us between fields with towering crops. What they are, I do not know. Though they do provide a little shade, something of which I am grateful for. Though an odd feeling falls over me, however. The feeling of being watched. Trouble can sense something too. He is uneasy. Something flashes in the corner of my eye and my pulse increases. Have I been found already? How did they get to me so fast? Perhaps father had soldiers already out here waiting in case one of us did manage to escape. My hand instinctively reaches for my sword and I look around at the crops. I can't see anything hidden in them, they are so thick. We continue wearily, stopping as we reach another farming hut. The further from the city I come, the more huts I see. This one seems unoccupied at the moment, like many others. The farmer probably taking a few days off to go to the city and watch the Trials.  We go to the hut, stopping at the trough full of water. All the huts have them so their horses or mules can drink. Trouble leans down into it and takes a sip. Then, with a splutter, he spits it out. His head shakes angrily as he steps away from the water wearily.

"What's wrong, boy?" I ask, pushing him toward the water again so I can see. I frown. The water has an odd shimmer to it.

Poison.

I panic, quickly jumping off Trouble's back to inspect his mouth. He is licking wildly around his mouth, distressed. I reach into my bag. Fallon made sure to pack many of my potions. Especially the antidote to most poisons. I hope this works. I am guessing that the poison used would be some sort of regular rat killer. I grab a canteen and pour a bit of water in my hands. Then I squeeze a few drops of the antidote into the water, getting Trouble to drink it quickly before the little puddle escapes through my fingers. I am shaking in fear, hoping that it works. I stroke him softly and he begins to calm down. Luckily, he spat the water out before ingesting it. Though it still burned the insides and around his mouth. The little drops of the antidote seem to be helping calm the minor burns though.

I let out a sigh of relief. He's not too badly injured. I just need to find something to help with the minor chemical burns. I rummage through the bags to see what else Fallon packed for me, hoping there would be some sort of cream or ointment I could use. My hands just manage to grab hold of a tin when Trouble rears angrily.

Something grabs me from behind. Their hands clam around my mouth as I scream. Trouble rears again, thumping angrily at the ground as he rushes toward me. I manage to wiggle out of the grip slightly and slam my elbow into his stomach. He grunts and stumbles away from me. I jump out of the way and draw my sword, turning around to face my attacker. He lies on the ground clutching at his stomach. I am gasping and Trouble calms down behind me. I look at him holding my sword.

He's a farmer. Wearing a dirty shirt and trousers. His skin, tanned and pink from working in the sun.

"What are you doing?" I ask with an angry growl. "You tried to kill my horse," I snarl. The man growls.

"I know who you are and what you're trying to do. I won't have your madness on the throne," he tells me. I sigh with annoyance. Though I am surprised news somehow managed to spread this far before I even got here. He spits on the ground at my feet.

"I will never bow to you," he snarls at me. I sigh with annoyance.

"No ruler can get everyone to bow at their feet," I shrug, walking over to him. "I would have left you unharmed for your ridiculous attack, however, you tried to poison my horse," I tell him. His eyes widen with fear. "Plus, I can't have you blabbing to those who are after me." Still keeping an eye on him, I reach into my bag and pull out another potion. He tries to bolt. I'm faster, running to him and slamming my elbow into his face, knocking him unconscious. I then pour a few small drops of the liquid into his mouth. This will keep him out cold for a few days and cause him to forget the last few hours.

I use all my strength to drag him into his hut, making an effort to find one of his rum bottles. I soak the liquid over him and pour a little in his mouth before placing the empty bottle in his hand. Now, whoever passes by will think he's fallen into an alcohol-induced sleep. I then make an effort to tip away the poisoned water. Even though I'd love for the people to be slowed down behind me, I don't want it to be at the expense of their horses.

When I am finally done and on Trouble's back, I feel relieved. We carry on walking for a couple more hours. Just the sun begins to fade, we stop again. I let Trouble rest for just over an hour, feed him and give him some more water.

"Soon we can rest properly," I tell him, stroking his muzzle. Again, I don't allow myself to sleep. I am exhausted though. My eyes are heavy and my muscles ache. It is with a pained groan I get back onto Trouble once the sun has set, urging him to run whilst the temperature is a lot cooler.

Trouble runs throughout the night. The moon is bright again, allowing us to see and follow the flat path with ease. Though when the sun rises, I am amazed to see the forest in the distance and the huge mountains in front of me. We must be barely ten miles away from the shelter of the woodlands. I slow Trouble down, giving him more food and water and another hour break. Then, I get back on and urge him to race across the final stretch toward a little more safety.

"We are nearly there boy. Nearly there," I whisper to him as I feel a little bit of hope in the pits of my stomach. It may be a small step, but I am one step closer to achieving this.