"As I said before, the Bravelles transport their goods all over the kingdom. Including to the towns on the border of Estrellia," Duke said. "We will travel as their wagon-pulling horses to one such town. Then we will be let loose and cross the border, where we can seek out Anya and the other concubines."
"Will they know what town we go to?" Duchess asked. Duke sighed.
"Alas, no. The Bravelles have multiple towns to choose from, and will go with whatever is safest. At this point, there is no way of knowing which town they will go to. It will be determined as we travel."
"Then how will we meet with Anya?" Duchess asked, panicked.
"Calm down, my Princess. Anya knows my current form and can sense you with the amulet. Though they do not know where we will be yet, once we arrive, Anya will be able to set out looking for us."
"How did this all get planned so meticulously?" Duchess asked. Duke laughed.
"My Princess, there is constant planning behind the scenes. Anya came to me worried of the rumors of discontent she'd heard. We were able to set plans to protect you. This is one of those plans."
They exited the woods surrounding the city.
"Whoa!" Styll said, pulling the reins. Duke and Duchess obediently stopped. "I need to check on our cargo and passengers. You two eat and drink. After this, we will be going until you physically cannot go anymore."
Styll came around and unhitched them. The horses wandered to a nearby stream to drink.
"What?" Duchess neighed. She huffed. "I was hoping to find a place to stay the night."
"My dear Princess, this is the life of a wagon horse," Duke said. "We will be pushed as hard as we can be without being harmed."
"I do not like it!" Duchess stomped her hooves in displeasure.
"Yes, but it is the only way you will survive," Duke said firmly. "And, I believe, Styll is pushing us particularly hard right now to put as much space as possible between us and the Capitol. We will go through the night and likely most of the day before we can stop."
Duchess hung her head low. She pawed at the ground sadly.
"So...we cannot mate yet?" she whickered pathetically. Her heat was rising viciously again.
Duke sighed before replying.