That was okay. He didn't have to. All he had to do was get on Caia and see Brisa and himself to safety.
Shouts came from the other side of the canyon.
"You're out of time," Eva barked.
She moved to Caia's head, holding the mare steady as Jason fit his good foot into the stirrup and mounted.
Caia jerked, trying to sidle out from under Jason's weight.
Eva held her still. "Shh, my dear. I need you now more than ever."
The mare settled, her gaze focused on her human as the sound of their pursuers grew.
They'd spotted them.
Eva slid a hand along her nose. "I know you don't want to, but I need you to run."
Caia tried to toss her head as if she understood Eva's words and disagreed.
Eva tightened her grip, forcing the mare to meet her gaze. "Please see them to safety. You're the only one I can count on."
For a long moment, Caia's stubbornness held before Eva saw signs of her relenting.
She wasn't happy about the two on her back, but she also wouldn't throw them off. At least not right now.
Eva stepped back, looking up at Jason. "Good luck."
He didn't speak, his face a mask of grief as he nudged Caia to get moving.
The mare bolted forward, disappearing into the rain as the pursuers closed in.
Eva didn't wait to see what happened next, darting for the trail that led upwards.
For this to work the pursuers had to have something to distract them. What better than their prey attempting to escape?
Her feet slid under her as she fell to her hands and knees. Still, she didn't stop as she scrambled up the trail. Higher and higher until she was above the boulder. The charred tree a silent sentinel watching her passage.
The riders slowed, several pointing at her.
To Eva's dismay, a few continued on, chasing after Jason and Caia.
No matter. The majority had remained to pursue her. Those few would turn back when they saw they had no hope of catching Caia.
They would have to, Eva told herself.
She looked up at the steep incline full of boulders. She gritted her teeth and ignored the danger around her.
Gradually, the rain stopped, but it didn't make her journey any easier. The mud and boulders were still slick, causing her to trip and bang her knees more than once.
A dull ache resonated from several places on her body where she'd hit the ground hard.
From behind her, she could hear the humans starting up the incline.
They had the advantage of their horses, but Eva didn't let that dissuade her. Every second she could delay them was a victory.
The top neared and with it a ray of hope.
Those following were having trouble on the slope, allowing Eva to widen the distance. If she could get over the top, she could make use of the difficult terrain much the same way their ambushers had and disappear.
