Ning Chen led his horse out of the palace.

Snow had begun to drift down out of the sky.

It was snowing at last. It should have snowed long before.

"My lord prince, you... someone, quickly, fetch my lord prince a heavy coat!"

The guards at the palace gate saw that Ning Chen had nothing on but his undershirts and drawers, and in their shock they sent at once to fetch Ning Chen a heavy coat.

Ning Chen waved a hand. "Don't fetch anything. I'm not my lord prince any more. A man with no office has a light load — I'm this humble commoner now, and nothing more."

The guard stared at Ning Chen.

"My lord prince has been stripped of office?"

Ning Chen smiled and nodded.

"This small man does not know what has happened, but my lord prince is a hero of our Great Xuan and will surely return to the court."

"That won't happen." Ning Chen looked at the palace gate and said quietly, "Once I step out of that gate today, there is no going back through it, ever."

"Take care of yourselves, gentlemen. If fate allows it, we will meet again."

Ning Chen swung up into the saddle.

The guards saluted as one. "Go carefully, my lord prince."

"I told you, I'm not my lord prince any more."

"But in our hearts, my lord prince will always be my lord prince."

Never mind the silver Ning Chen handed them from time to time, or the drinks he bought them.

Ning Chen's record in the field alone — what soldier would not worship it?

"Who says heaven is a poor host? A whole sky of wind and snow to see one man off... Hah!"

Ning Chen put the horse to a gallop and vanished into the driving snow.

When they saw Ning Chen come back in nothing but his undershirts and drawers, Uncle Chai and the rest were struck dumb and staring.

"Ning, dear, what is this?"

Yudie hurried to fetch a cloak and put it around Ning Chen's shoulders, her eyes full of pain…