Orion never knew Shade could gallop this fast.  But then, he couldn’t recall ever having to push her to find out.  Hurdle after hurdle was cleared effortlessly, as he thought she wasn’t even trying that hard.  He loved how her mane flew in the wind, and the sound of her thundering hooves hammered the earth below her.<br/><br/>“Highness.  Orion.  Orion!”  The persistently nagging voice would not go away.  Slowly opening his eyes, the Prince gazed upon the visage of a concerned Bernard.  “What is it now, old friend?” he inquired while rubbing the sleep from his eyes.  “Dinner will be served in less than half an hour,” he replied.  The valet seemed genuinely perturbed.<br/><br/>“Meh, I’ll take it in bed,” was his royal reply.  Bernard, however, was having none of it, tut-tutting his displeasure at the reclining Orion.  “Not appropriate and not possible,” he quickly informed him.  “If the Princess was not your guest, perhaps you could get away with this.  But since she is, your presence is required downstairs at the usual time.  Shall I lay out your usual black suit, white shirt, and red tie?”<br/><br/>“Of course.  What else is there?” Orion grumbled in response.  Wisely, Bernard held his tongue, thus avoiding an argument.  He was aware of the fact that a just-woken Orion, was usually a grumpy Orion.  He also had to<i>always </i>have the last word, and the attendant was in no mood for any of the Prince’s quirks at this moment.