To the Gate

The morning they were due to leave, the two knights under the guise of mercenaries retrieved their horses from the inn's stable but it wasn't to take their loyal steeds with them. 

There was another stable deeper in Idona where they could leave their horses for an extended stay. Katerina knew the owner and Commander Lothian used his services the last time he went into the monster country. 

With too many dangerous paths and monsters who would use a horse as a meal, it wasn't wise to bring horses to Polona. 

Henry and Callum would go to the entrance of Polona by foot. 

When they were at the final stable, on their way out of the town nestled in the middle of a thick forest, Henry couldn't resist wrapping his arms around the neck of Melan. 

The old horse, while stubborn, had been through so much with Henry already. He saw the end of the war with him and safely carried the princess back to the castle.