The dismissal came in a moment of panic and vulnerability and Gabriel worried that he'd overstepped somehow, but the Princess was gracious and allowed the matter to drop.  However, she decided to surprise him one last time that night in requesting openness between them.  He'd expected the distrust from her servants and met it with the same grim acceptance that had become the norm for him throughout his life.  However, Vail's request was a show of acceptance he never expected to see from any human and gave him pause for a few beats before his smile returned in earnest and he slowly lowered his hood to reveal himself once more.  "Rest easy, my lady." he replied with a bow.  A fairwell and a promise.<br/><br/>Gabriel waited patiently with his horse in uncomfortable silence with Sebis as the older man checked and rechecked the saddle and gear while no doubt going over all manner of ways he could hurt the dragon accompanying her should any harm come to the Princess.  When she finally arrived, Gabriel greeted her with a pleasant smile, noting inwardly how the simple traveling clothes she wore did nothing to diminish her grace and beauty.<br/><br/>"Remember what I taught you, Highness.  Give the reigns plenty of slack, choke up only to turn.  You've yet to use the stirrups, but plant your feet in those and use them to lift yourself in the saddle when going any faster than a walk, else your bum will be bruised for a week.  Up you go, now." Sebis grunted as he helped Vail lift herself into the saddle and made sure she was secure before giving her one last fatherly smile and a pat on the hand and Gabriel one last warning scowl.<br/><br/>With his hood back up, Gabriel led the way down the forest path to the main road that would take them to Valdaran.  He'd already prepped her on their cover story should they be stopped by anyone on the road.  If they met dragons, she would have to play the part of his servant, though he would make a point of keeping attention off her.  For humans, she would pretend to be a farmer's daughter on her way to appeal for her father's release and he her escort.  With any luck, the prep would prove unnecessary, but Gabriel had been taught over and over that it wasn't wise to leave things to chance.<br/><br/>Unfortunately, Gabriel had forgotten to account for bandits.<br/><br/>"Greetings," A middle aged human in a long coat said pleasantly, seated upon a log currently laying over the road and leisurely tossing a tomahawk end over end before catching it without looking, "You may not realize this, but my crew and I are highwaymen." He waved his other hand to indicate the six men accompanying him, three on either side of the road, all wearing similar coats with hoods and masks and brandishing manner of weaponry from swords to axes and even a couple of bows.  "So, if you would be so kind as to hand over your valuables, it would save us the trouble of a very tedious clean up effort."<br/><br/>"We have nothing of value to give.  She's a simple farmer's daughter...-" Gabriel began before being cut off.<br/><br/>"Look, I'm sorry to interrupt what I'm sure was a very well rehearsed sob story," the bandit leader interrupted, "and believe me I am a great fan of theatrics, but I can plainly see a very well crafted sword on your belt and I'm guessing there's a dagger to go with it.  Bernard, weren't you on the lookout for a new sword?"<br/><br/>The one apparently named Bernard tilted his head from behind his bow to get a better look at the sword in question, replying, "Not so sure I can call it a sword.  More like a letter opener."<br/><br/>The leader shrugged, "Well, it should still fetch a good price all the same."