Darius nodded and called the escort to a halt.<br/><br/>"Just a few minutes," he said as he dismounted and began to walk his steed, "Mallory, you should switch horses with the princess."<br/><br/>As they took water and walked the horses to let them rest briefly, Balthazar sent a reassuring mental touch.<br/><br/><em>I have felt it.  My realm reacts to it when you are here.  I believe my connection to you has also awoken your power, did you not feel it when you bound Darius to his oath earlier?</em>