Jasper and Gareth were only traveling for an hour when they heard female voices talking up ahead. They sped up, eager to see if it was Anya and the other concubines.
To Jasper's disappointment, Anya was not there. But the two women were in fact her concubines! The fiery Estrellian Rosilla and pale, petite, demure Nanette.
"Are you sure we are going the right way?" Nanette asked. Rosilla sighed.
"Yes! When we separated for safety, Anya told us to meet her and the others in my home country. I remember well the way there. Or have you forgotten that I visit my family for the high holidays every year?" Rosilla snapped. "I can find our way to Estrellia. But on foot, it will take quite some time." Rosilla looked over her shoulder. Her large, dark eyes spotted Jasper and Gareth. She gasped. Nanette turned her head.
"That- that looks like the Prince's favorite mare, Battle!" Nanette said. Jasper looked down at herself. She hadn't realized, but she did in fact resemble the mare she loved most.
"And the stallion, that is clearly Guard Gareth's steed Steel!" Rosilla added. Jasper looked at Gareth. Again, the resemblance was uncanny. Nanette burst into tears.
"Oh, no! They must have been captured and killed!"
"What?" Rosilla pinched Nanette, who yelped. "No, harem sister. The stable hands are too release the horses immediately during a coup. The Prince and Head Guard must have just not gotten to the stable in time. I am sure they are safe."
Rosilla walked up to Jasper. She stroked the mare's muzzle.
"And now, we have steeds to take us to Estrellia!" Without warning, Rosilla mounted Jasper. Jasper expected to have a strong reaction, but she felt perfectly fine having a rider. Anya's magic was thorough. No doubt Jasper would be fully trained as well.
After some hesitation and prompting from Rosilla, Nanette finally mounted Gareth.
"All right, Battle and Steel," Rosilla said, "it is time to go!"
"I suppose we are to go by our own horses' names now," Gareth, now Steel, neighed.
"It is not even close to the weirdest thing to come from today," Jasper, now Battle, replied. Steel whinnied in amusement. Their riders dug their heels into the horses' sides. As though they had been doing this for years, Battle and Steel leapt forward, galloping down the road to safety.