At night, the four gates of the Capital remain locked. Aran knew she could not ride out through the city gates, but she was aware of an underground river that led out of the city. She made her way to the riverbank and jumped in; thankfully, it was not yet winter.
It took Aran half an incense stick’s time to swim to the other side. Outside the city, there was a Prince’s Estate outpost. Aran went to the outpost, requested dry clothes, and claimed that the Prince had assigned her an urgent mission that required a fast horse.
Upon hearing that it was an urgent mission, the men at the outpost dared not delay. They immediately selected a fine horse and even enthusiastically prepared water and dry rations for her.
Chapter 29