“Yes.” She nodded sharply. “For example, earlier you said you weren’t a limber young woman. This was meant to suggest the contrast between the two of us. But Cedric might interpret the comment to verify the all-too-vocal and false rumor that the imperial family is human. It’s possible Cedric could repeat the comment, erroneously describing me to his friends as a young woman, and thus further the misconception. If repeated enough times, that inaccuracy could be believed by millions. So, what began as an innocent joke between friends might become a distorted reality for future generations.” She hoisted her pack to her shoulder and turned to the younger knight. “For the record, I’m old enough to be Virgil’s great-great-great-grandmother, and I’m not a woman.”

Cedric eyed the princess suspiciously.

Farilane frowned as she considered the myriad of things the young knight could be thinking. “What I meant is that I’m only part human. My father is descended from Nyphron who was elven—or Fhrey as they used to call themselves.” She paused to calculate. “Since all the emperors except Nolyn took human wives—and because both Nolyn and his wife, Sephryn, were half-elven, which resulted in no bloodline dilution—that makes me only one thirty-second elven. Arguably, I am more human than elf, but it’s still not technically accurate to call me a woman.”

“It’s truly a wonder why you aren’t married.” Virgil shook his head. “You knew what I meant.”

“I did. He didn’t. Facts are important. They are the notches we cut in trees as we explore reality—lose them, and we might never find our way.”

The old man shook his head again. “The point I was making is that I can’t climb as easily as the three of you can.”

“What do you want from me, Virgil?” Farilane slapped her sides. “The knights aren’t allowed to abandon me even to assist my tutor, and you can’t climb back up the rope by yourself. I can’t leave you here on the side of this cliff. You’d fall asleep, roll off, and die. Either we climb down now or give up, and I’m not willing to quit—not after so many decades of searching—not when we’re this close.” She took a breath, then added, “Look, it will be okay. I promise. And when we get back to camp, you can have pie.”

“Oh really? Pie? Well, that’s a completely different argument, now, isn’t it?” Virgil peered below at the violent war being waged between sea and coast. “And you’re right.” He sighed. “I’m not risking much, am I?”