But they didn’t mind the risk.
We rode for hours. It was nearly dawn by the time we stopped again. Peach and lavender light filtered through the misty trees, making them look less threatening.
Jek angled us off the trail to the east and found a clearing to stop in.
“We’re an arrow-shot from Rellmira,” he said, his red-rimmed eyes still darting around us. “Another day’s ride to Calimber. There will be more patrols. We’ll have to keep moving to avoid them. But for now, rest, water, sleep a wink.”
Everyone nodded, too weary to speak.
I gave Ozlow a rubdown and some water before turning him toward a few clumps of spiky grass for grazing. I’d hardly slumped against a tree and closed my eyes before Yarina shook me awake.
“Up you get, princess,” she said gruffly.
I didn’t bother correcting her anymore. It didn’t sound like so much of an insult lately.
As I saddled Ozlow, I noticed Aiden was missing, yet Wicked was still here.
“Where’s Aiden?” I asked Nikella, who had already saddled her gray horse and sat atop him, holding tight to her staff—her steel spear safely inside.
“He’s scouting the gap,” she said without looking at me, her gaze to the south. “The Rellmirans built a stone wall along the border from the cliffs to the trail, and a bit farther west. The stone wall is too high for a horse to jump, and the trail leads to the only gap in the wall. Aiden is checking for patrols.”
I swung on top of Ozlow. “Perhaps the patrol we evaded last night was in charge of the gap, but they decided to wander into Dag territory.”
Nikella didn’t answer.
We waited a few more moments before Aiden strode back with a grim look on his face.
“Six guards,” he said. “Not very alert, but well-armed.”
Maz swore.
“We could leave the horses and climb the wall farther down,” Yarina suggested.
“Someone would have to stay behind, then we’d be short a warrior and our horses,” Jek said.
Sigrid shrugged, her fur cape ruffling in the breeze. “Leave the boy behind. Our horses will be easily spotted on the plains near Calimber, anyway.”
Ruru sat up straighter on his horse, his hair sticking out in all directions. He opened his mouth, most likely to protest, but Aiden cut him off.
“No one’s staying behind. We may need the horses for a fast escape. We’ll just have to cut back west, hugging the wall until it ends near the Winspere estates.”
“What if we run into the patrol from last night?” I asked.
Aiden’s green gaze flicked to me. “That’s a risk we’ll have to take. I’d rather face a possible danger than a certain one.”
“Agreed,” Nikella said. “But?—”
An arrow slammed into the tree next to her. Her horse jerked sideways, stumbling into Ozlow.
Jek roared something I didn’t hear. I was too focused on the lone horseman wearing the Rellmiran colors nocking another arrow into his bow.
He aimed for Jek this time.
“Down, Jek!” Nikella shouted.
He flattened himself on his horse’s back just as the arrow shot through the space his body had been.
Gasping, I unsheathed my sword, exhaustion and adrenaline at war in my veins.
