When they arrived at the riding school, it was just in time. Lady Jane and her employees were loading up horses to leave. Lady Jane's fiance, a man named Lord Aspen, spotted Gareth and Jasper.
"Riderless horses approach!" he called out. Jasper came to a stop. Gareth, however, went up to Lady Jane and Lord Aspen. The two seemed startled when the stallion spoke to them, and even more shocked when he explained their situation.
But in short time, Lady Jane had saddled Jasper and Lord Aspen had saddled Gareth. Lady Jane patted Jasper's neck.
"Sorry we cannot afford to speak right now, dear cousin," she whispered. "We must flee immediately. The rebels are fast upon us. Once we are at a safe house, we may catch up." Jasper tossed her head to show sure understood. Lord Aspen rode Gareth alongside her.
"It is good you became a mare," he said to Jasper. "A woman riding a stallion would be improper. Women must ride mares and men must ride stallions." Jasper felt herself bristle as she remembered why she rarely spent time with Lady Jane. Lord Aspen was agonizing to interact with.
"Not now, my love," Lady Jane scolded. As befitted nobility, she had pale red hair. Her skin was pale as well, but her eyes a vivid green. Lord Aspen was pale in skin, but with ebony hair and dark brown eyes. Whereas Lady Jane looked kind and welcoming, Lord Aspen appeared houghty.
"Are you ready, my lady?" asked one of the employees. Lady Jane nodded.
"Yes. Let us ride!"
Lady Jane dug her heels into Jasper's side. As though she had been trained in this for years, Jasper's body responded. She surged forward, as did Gareth. The group galloped away to safety. Though how long their safe destination would remain safe was unknown.