Herald was waiting for her, when she climbed out of the last ditch and, still seething with rage, made it to the Canterlot Road. The tree-things held back, out of line of sight of any traffic, while Trixie glared at the black stallion.
"A fine morning, isn't it?" he said. He was wearing sunset-red robes, intricately embroidered with curious symbols picked out in golden thread. Trixie's own garments were torn, mud-stained, and in general looked as if she'd been dragged through a hedge backwards.
"A fine morning? Do we look like we have been having a fine morning? Trixie spent half the night in a ditch. How would you like that?"
"A comfortable ditch, I hope?"
Trixie exploded - the smile on the mask made it impossible to judge his sincerity. "The Great and Powerful Trixie will not stand for such mockery!"
Herald bowed "My apologies, magnificent mare of magic. You're quite right, you don't deserve to spend your time in a ditch - I'm sure everypony would rather see you in very different quarters."
Trixie sniffed. "Indeed. What are you doing here, anyway?" She peered suspiciously at his outfit. "You had better not be trying to upstage Trixie, she is the star of this show."
"Merely acting as your publicity agent, Trixie - I'm delighted to say that thanks to me, your face is on posters from here to Manehattan." He chuckled. "Herald by name, herald by nature."
Trixie was momentarily taken aback. "You did that for me?"
"Of course. As I've said before, you deserve all the attention you can get. Why else would I have gone to all the trouble of getting you this?"
He picked up a bundle of cloth - inside was one of the most magnificent cloaks and hats Trixie had ever seen - radiant with gemstones and embroidery.
"It... it's beautiful!"
"Eye-catching, certainly. I had it specially made. Do you think it will make a good impression on the Royal Court?"
Trixie shook her head to clear it, and nodded decisively. "You have done very well. You may accompany me to the capital." She changed into the resplendent outfit and set off, head held high, as Herald gestured to the Dark Young, who oozed forward and followed close upon his heels.
Herald silently enjoyed the stroll for the first half hour, occasionally glancing up at the sun and moon already peeking above the mountains, and chuckling as passing squads of pegasi would divert towards them, and mill about in confusion. The few ponies they met coming from the capital somehow failed to notice the procession of ponies and monsters, although the sound of choking and disgust behind them, as they discovered the slime they were walking in, did eventually get Trixie's attention. She turned to glare at them.
"Don't mind them, Trixie - we wouldn't want to be late meeting the Princess, after all."
Trixie considered the point, and continued. "Of course not - the sooner the Great and Powerful Trixie is recognised, the sooner the loser Twilight Sparkle can be exposed as a fraud."
Herald gave a little laugh. "I think we can be certain you'll be recognised."
***
The two Guardponies on the East Gate took their duties seriously - even with the extra traffic coming into town for the Eclipse, they checked every cart, carriage, and pedestrian for anypony resembling the fugitives. At least there was no chance those tree things could sneak into Canterlot. Even the crystal mines had been sealed, and teams of ponies were doing their best to remain unobtrusive as they searched the town.
"Why would they come here anyway? If they've got any sense Trixie and that stallion'll be halfway to the Griffin Lands by now."
"I dunno - if she was crazy enough to attack the Night Princess..."
"...yeah. And those poor fillies. They'll be lucky if Celestia just sends them to the moon."
"Ha! They'll be lucky if Celestia gets to them first! Did you see Shining Armor yesterday?"
"No, but I can guess. Well, at least we'll get a good view of the eclipse from here." he replied, jerking his chin towards the objects brightly shining over the town. "Think it'll be good?"
"Better be - the weather committee spent a week arguing about the best way to arrange the clouds."
"It's nice that the Princesses are working together on this. It's been, wha- OOF! Hey! Quit shoving!"
"What are you talking about? I didn't touch yo- Gah! What is that SMELL!?"
They stared down at the cobbles. A morass of giant, slimy, stinking hoofprints ran up the middle of the road, and into the Palace grounds.
"I... I think we'd better tell somepony about this."
"I think you're right."