Chester was torn between revealing himself to the guards and going with the woman.  On the one hand, he was intrigued by the woman and the life she led, but on the other hand he really did have responsibilities.  In the end, he decided to simply approach the guards.   It was the right thing to do.<br/><br/>When he was within ten feet of them, he could hear their conversation.  "Did you see the prince this morning?  Riding through town like God himself.  Always though better of him than that."<br/><br/>"Ya, he never was that rude before.  I guess they all go bad when they get close to the throne.  Hoped he would be a better king that his father, I did."<br/><br/>"He's a better king than some, I figure.  At least better than the grandfather was.<br/><br/>Chester's world was rocked.  What were they talking about?  He was the only prince in the kingdom and not delegations were visiting.  Surely it was a mistake!  It would explain the lack of searchers though.  The bottom fell out of his stomach.  It must be some black magic at work here, and he still was not safe.<br/><br/>Slinking back to the alley, he systematically shredded parts of his clothing and then rolled himself in the dirt.  It killed him to do so.  He had never been so dirty before.  There was only one sure way past the guards though and that was as a beggar.  Beggars were thrown out of the city.  In fact they were rounded up and taken outside the walls if they ventured to far into the nicer sections.  Surely they would allow him to leave as an undesirable.<br/><br/>It did not occur to him to explain his actions to the woman, but when he was done he looked as grim and grimy as his stomach felt.  Surely this would work.