"I already snuck Alina and her retune to the stables. They may be my sons soldiers but her three guards are loyal strictly to her. I have sent three other guards ahead to the town Ivan will be at by tomorrow to inform him of an emergency back here that he will run towards. Take the backroads--it provides shortcuts--it's more dangerous but you'll have a good chance of beating them once they realize this was a ruse. You have a 2, maybe 3 day head start."