Anxiety corrupted the stables: the unrested horses swayed from side to side in reply to everyone’s distress.
“We must wait for Roxanne,” Florence said when I saddled my horse. She moved to prepare Roxanne’s when more people poured into the stables. “She will be here soon,” Florence mumbled under her breath.
When Roxanne’s horse was ready, Florence’s worried gaze met mine. “Where is she?” The worry shone bright in her eyes as she mounted her mare.
Warriors walked their horses out of the stables, some of them throwing confused glances our way—
“Let’s go!” Roxanne ran towards us: her bow drawn.
She mounted her horse in a swift motion, gesturing for us to follow. “We will have to go around Silverstone,” she yelled as we ran out of the sanctuary, into the courtyard filled with warriors.
“No!” The wind carried my voice. “It will take far too long!” I protested.
Going around Silverstone would add an additional hour to our travels—if not more...
“Silverstone is an active battleground right now!” Roxanne barked as we passed the gates of Barren’s estate. “If you want to reach Francis alive, we must go around!” She ordered her horse north, through the woods, away from Silverstone.
Florence and I had nothing left but to follow.
The cold air struck my face as Annabelle carried me towards the palace.
The naked trees blurred in my vision as we flew through the path of the woods.
“If we miss Silverstone,” my voice traveled with the wind. “How will Gabriel meet us?”
“He will figure out the change in our plans!” Roxanne turned, her voice getting lost in the distance. “And meet us at the palace!”
“What if he does not?” Florence forced her horse to run faster.
“We will figure it out, Sunshine!” The wind dropped Roxanne’s hood, freeing her red hair. “We just need to get there!”
My feet pushed on Annabelle’s sides, willing her faster.
I’d lost track of time long before the first empty villages appeared from the east. The tallest of the buildings still carried the fiery remains, the smoke reaching us from such a distance.
I was too afraid to imagine what Silverstone would look like after the attack, and could only hope no innocent souls suffered the disaster.
“On your right!” Florence yelled, slowing her horse slightly. “Is that one of Faris’ warriors?” She asked Roxanne, who had matched Florence’s speed.
“I don’t think so.” Roxanne shook her head, her eyes narrowing on the figure in... a dark blue cloak.
“Wurdulacs!” I screamed, forcing Annabelle back into a sprint.
“Fuck!” Roxanne drew an arrow as four more cloaked figures appeared from the other side.
“They are surrounding us!” I shrieked, unsheathing one of my daggers that stood no chance against figures’ long swords.
Panic squeezed my throat as the Wurdulacs shortened their distance between us.
“They are close!” Florence willed her horse to run to the side, passing Annabelle with ease.
I allowed myself a quick glance behind me: Roxanne’s arrows flew in every direction, meeting the hearts of our followers—
“Cordelia!” Florence’s voice broke through the air, forcing my gaze towards her. “Watch out!”
The air was knocked out of my lungs as my back met the ground—
A broad figure lay atop of me as I gulped for air—
