You as a character

I'll go with any who want to (not alone, for sure), to try and locate a suitable war-trained mount (horse is optional) for the newly minted dark elf. 

Appraisal (with help) 16

(Not sure what other skill I need to use to buy such a thing, so I'll roll a D20 and just add my Factotum bonus and help. I have Diplomacy 4, if that's appropriate) 11

 Caesar and myself will tag along as well to find a worthy warhorse. " I will speak with any candidates to see who might be most suitable. If I paw at the ground in front of one then that is the best in my opinion. " Before we depart the palace I will change into a horse. I will walk along with the others and then speak with the available warhorses ( in horse) to get a feel for who is most enthusiastic and would make the best mount for Jonathan. 

Diplomacy: @Kyrroeth game_die
Result: 1d20 (15) + 6
Total: 21

Rachel changes into a horse before you leave the mansion you were staying in.  You head down to the market place seeking trained horses.  You ask around and soon here about some stables outside the city to the east that would be a likely place to head to.  After about half an hour you exit the east gate and head towards that looks to be a few corrals set up a bit away from the city gates and walls.  As you get closer you can see a few horses moving about in each of the eight corrals.  (12-16 total in each).  As you approach you are met by a large ugly person.  He is carrying a whip in one hand and a large club in the other.  He looks to you, "You sell horse to me?  She a nice lookin mare and may be a good breeder stock."  He says this as he circles Rachel/horse stroking her back and hind quarters.

Grinning inside, I keep a serious mien and say "No, we are looking to buy a battle-trained and preferably experienced war horse or two. What do you have available?"

I look to Ceasar, shaking my head at him, and hoping he'll pay attention. I then make sure to get the horse handler's attention. "She's not for sale. Now, as my companion stated, we're hoping to purchase a warhorse. If you do not have any trained as such, one of your stronger and faster horses may suffice."

Watching Rachel get caressed I feel that she knows what she's doing and that Grant was doing well enough to shake his attention from her,  but seeing Ceaser tense up I speak to the man, "Just to let you know, the big guy here has made friends with this one." Pointing to Ceaser and Rachael. "I wouldn't want you to lose any arms over a misunderstanding," as I step between him and Rachel. "She's here because she's an excellent judge of character. She'll know if you bring us someone worthy of your stable's reputation." I say trying to turn the attention from negative to flattery. 

Diplomacy Result: 12

  I kick out at the stranger in anger. Keeping my distance I trust in my friends to defuse  the situation.  

  Caesar beats his chest in challenge and advances towards the horsetrader. Hearing the others speak he stops and glares at the man.  

Seeing the horse kick at him and then Caesar beeting his chest and afvancing the guy smiles.  Fiesty mare I see.  Ape is her mate>  No mind I have war horses you come see."  He leads the group over to a couple of the pens where you can see some large powerful horses.  He indicates.  The medium war horse those heavy war horses."  He indicated to the left first and the right later.

OOC - use my previous appraisal roll, since this is what it was for. 

The Guy jumps out of the way of the kick like he is used to horses trying to kick him.  When Caesar advances at him he will back up a bit but not to far as you see him loosen and readies his club.  As things calm down a bit he says, "Yes I have good war horse best around.  Is ape and horse mates?  Come see horse."  He leads you over to a couple stalls.  One has large powerfully build horses and the other not as big.  He indicates to the right stall first and then the left.  "this heavy war horse this light war horse.  Cost is 500 for heavy 200 for light."

As Rachel Horse talks to the horses and learns that they are well carred for and well fed   The handler she learns is a good person and only gets a little rough in training but they learn well from him and hold no grudge to him.  Those around can see that these horses indeed look well maintained.  There are other corrals further down if you wish to proceed.

Herschel does not see anything around that would lead him towards what would be civilization.  Does he continue eastward or is he going to try another direction?

Since Ive seen a path of sorts I will attempt to follow it (or head North, if it doesn’t run N/S). Do I hear anything other than typical woodland noises?

Listen: 13

  I nicker at my companions and begin stamping my hooves in the direction of these two horses. 

Just to be clear there are more than two horses. 

I pull out the pouches of money that Grant, Travis, and I had worked to earn over the past few days, and toss it up and down to show the heft, "We'll take these two both, and appropriate tack as well. Rachel, any others catch your eye?"

You are able to negotiate for the tack and three horses two light and one heavy war horses.  After negotiations you will have 100 gp left. 

Herschel finds himself moving in a more northerly direction where after about a couple hours he runs across a more used track with what looks like human or humanoid tracks leading what appears to be east and west.

Trying to tell which way appears to have been used most recently:

Search/Spot/Track (or whatever I need to call it): 15

 The horses purchased, Inod to the stable master, "These are fine horses, you certainly know what you are doing. I am sure you have heard rumors of the new nation to the southwest, we were unable to bring as many horses as we might have preferred with us. Anyone able to correct that problem faster than we can breed them on our own may have a lucrative trading opportunity. Just something to think about."

Turning to the rest of the group I'll continue, "Let's head straight for the ship, unless someone has some other business."

As I take the War Horse I look him over, "You, ... you look like a ... Maximus to me," I grin as he shakes his head up and down. "Well, I'm glad you agree." I look over at Rachel, "Don't get used to having the hot-mare around. She's not your type, trust me." 

 As we get out of sight of the stables and in a less travelled area I revert to my normal form.  I glance at my companions blushing brightly.  " Well that was embarrassing.  Seems I didn't think about the downsides of the horse shape.  " I laugh then say, " Thank all of you for the help though.  I really didn't want to lose my equine form too soon just to set him straight. Jonathan, I hope you like your warhorse. He has a good heart and should serve you well. " 

"i envy you that talent, Rachel . It must be so freeing to take flight, run or swim far better than any human ever could. Perhaps one day I'll try it myself. " As we get on board, I keep a sharp eye out on the shore for any unusual departures beyond our own, wary of more threats. Upon meeting with the prince, I leave the primary communication to Jason, willing to just play the strong, silent barbarian with the big sword.