do once he caught her was not questioned. Cero’s focus shifted to his companions who were staring at the passing spectacle in differing degrees of confusion. Last of all, his vision focused on himself where he lay on the ground with Aleest concernedly reaching for his hand.
“You know what to do.” The next instant Cero was sucking air into his lungs and shoving himself to his feet. Aleest had a distant look in his eyes while chaos erupted on all sides. All the horses in the procession, except for the girl’s, were revolting. The guards immediately in front of them were unprepared for the synchronized assault they received from the four individuals in the front row. Cero had regained his feet in time to drag Aleest through the gap. Five of the horses calmed and stood still after having disposed of their riders. Torroth pulled himself up behind the princess as her horse barreled past. It was the work of a moment for the rest to find themselves mounted and following. The castle guards that had been leading this part of the procession had been mounted and were in no state to impede the runaways. Many of them barely managed to get out of the horses’ way. The mass of people that were on the road ahead frantically parted ways to make room for the horsemen. Less than a minute later, the gates were before them with a few confused guards blocking the way. Their courage failed as the horses bore down on them. When the guards had dashed out of harm’s way, there was nothing between the fugitives and the outside where long plains awaited them.
It was only then that whatever spell that had been binding the group into a cohesive unit snapped. They had enough sense to know that they couldn’t stop, but that their only path lay ahead. Frightened glances were cast over their shoulders even though there still weren’t any pursuers visible except for the rapidly diminishing guards whose futile efforts at running down the mounted escapees were being met with frustration.
“What in the name of the deep happened?!” Arken was shaking his head before he seemed to discover the fact that he was mounted on a horse. At this shocking discovery, he clung to the saddle for all he was worth and didn’t spare concentration for speaking again.
“I don’t know, I mean I did know what was going to happen. I knew exactly what to do and when to do it. I knew there was going to be a horse waiting, but how I knew that, I don’t know.” Niman apparently had more experience riding a horse, but was still not that adept. His attention was divided between staying astride his charger and keeping an eye on pursuers.
“Who are you people!?” Everyone stared at the horse that Torroth was on and the cascade of dark red hair that was blowing over his shoulder.
“Who are you?” Inadar urged her horse up beside Torroth and recognized the imposter princess in the saddle in front of him.
“I'm not the princess, just a milk maid.” The adrenaline from the escape had returned some color to the girl’s cheeks.
“We knew that much already. We work for the real princess. You are safe now or… As safe as any of us are.” Torroth looked over his shoulder nervously expecting an army of horsemen to come spilling out the dwindling city gates.
“This isn’t what I signed up for. A little spying and perhaps some sabotage, but not kidnapping a princess out from under Reigns’ nose. Not to mention being compelled into doing it.” Niman complained loudly.
“He is right. I didn’t have a choice in the matter. This is too dangerous.” Arken chimed in as well in a momentary lapse of concentration.
“We saved her life and hindered Reigns’ control of the people. It is why we are out here.” Inadar gave another cursory glance behind them, but still only saw the minute guards waving frantically.
“Who cares about a milk maid? There are hundreds of them out there. Not a single one of them is worth the trouble this one has gotten us in.” Niman sneered at the girl disregarding the tears that were coursing down her face as she listened.
“Enough! What is done is done. We can’t change that so we can only go forward. I don’t care what either of you think because we saved her and humiliated Reigns in the process.” Torroth gave a glare that should have silenced both the