They flew along the valley that afternoon, and by the time the sun was setting they were coming to the end, were the valley and the river both began to broaden on their way to the settled plains of Tara. Aidan carried Damien again as he slept, and walked on through the night. Were it not for the poster he might have taken an easier pace now that he was on Tara's soil, but he wanted to stay in the air during daylight. Walking through a town where that had been posted in broad daylight, no, that wouldn't be a good idea. Among the thousands of Aerievale they were unremarkable, but they were far too easily recognized as the pair mentioned in the poster out here in largely human lands. And indeed as Aidan passed down the darkened streets of the first small farming village, he found one of the things posted in the center of town. He tore it down with a flash of anger, and almost tore it up, but then thought better of it and put it in his pocket instead.

They traveled on steadily for three more days. The horseman from Stonewood was still ahead of them, though. Aidan had seen posters in every town he'd passed through along the way. He was very grateful that they could fly during daylight, otherwise there almost certainly would have been trouble of one kind or another. Aidan was not going to let anyone take Damien from him again, but he didn't want to have to fight and possibly hurt or even kill well-meaning people who thought they were helping the boy.

Damien still couldn't keep aloft for more than half a day or so, so they would stop and find somewhere to hide during the rest of the day, and Aidan would sleep. Then he would carry the sleeping Damien on through the night, until they could fly together in the morning. He stole food all along the way. He had no money left, having spent what little he had to buy supplies in Aerievale. Once he reached the Tower that should no longer be necessary. He was glad of that, for he found himself, for the first time in his life, really, honestly, personally regretting stealing. Always he had refrained more because of his wife's wishes, or because he wanted to avoid jail, but now he found himself disliking the necessity. Of course the fact that he was stealing from farmers rather than fat city merchants had something to do with it, but it was still strange to feel that way.

It was mid-morning when the tired pair arrived at the Tower. Damien looked around with wide-eyed curiosity, despite being tired. There were legends about the Tower, and now here he was, standing right next to it! Aidan was let through the gates of the castle at the Tower's base without challenge. He crossed the courtyard, Damien in tow, and entered the castle proper. Seeing a familiar face just inside the doors he called out, "Avery!" Avery, the Queen's steward, turned around.

"Aidan! What brings you here?"

"Nothing good, I'm afraid. Can you have someone get my room ready? And could you tell Tara I'm here? Whenever she's not busy, I'd like to speak with her."

"She's in her library right now. I don't think she's doing anything too urgent. Shall I show you up?"

"No need, I know the way," said Aidan. Damien went even more wide-eyed. He was at the Tower, in the Queen's castle, and now he was going to go see Queen Tara herself? He trailed after Aidan through a maze of hallways, up a flight of stairs, and down a long corridor. Outside one wooden door that looked no different than any other on the hall Aidan stopped and knocked. "Your Majesty?"