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I didn’t look back as I escaped into the forest

Of the thousand men who had been stationed at Falstan Lake, fewer than a couple hundred had e deep within the thickest part of the woods where little light froh A few fires were already built, and my soldiers huddled around them, exhausted, broken, and without hope Tobias and A the mildly wounded, but thecould save thee of death I stood beside the wagon that had carried hi more helpless than I ever had before Tobias had already bound the stab wound, but Mott was still struggling for breath and falling in and out of consciousness

"What can be done to save hied "Everything was left behind in our caes, and medicines, and tools I found an aravac plant to help with his pain But I can’t save hiive up on Mott How ness to follow ain? War had come, and he had indeed followedin the shadows between life and death I had to lead hiain But it would cost me dearly

I bit onhonest, there was only one terrible choice left It had always been in the back oflike this would be inevitable Once the decision was made, every other randoether in my mind like a completed puzzle To Tobias, I said, "If you had those supplies, could you save him?"

"I could probably save many of these men But --" Tobias’s eyes narrowed "No, Jaron Whatever you’re thinking --"

"I’ to die!" I hissed "I already lost I to lose this war too I will not lose anywith Avenians You cannot sneak back there!"

"No," I et those supplies" He called after e hi I needed was rational advice

Ae of our refuge, saddling a horse Her fists were clenched and her shoulders thrown back I recognized that posture frory withJaron, I a you not to do this!"

I had no interest in quarreling with her For better or worse, nothing could change my mind at this point "Tobias must be desperate if he sent you to stop me"

"He sent o"

I didn’t look at him I couldn’t With my eyes still on the saddle, I said, "This has to be done, Fink Even if you don’t understand that yet"

"I understand it plenty They’re going to kill you!"

Did he think my fate was any better if I stayed in the woods? Even if none of us wanted to say it, we all knew there would be another battle tomorrow, far worse than today’s disaster No ht, or how cleverly I planned, by sunset tomorrow, several hundred en want you to do?" Amarinda asked "If she asked you to stay here, would you run so openly toward your own death?"

My voice was gentle when I spoke to her "It’s never been a secret that I’ve had no desire to be king Why did people think that was? I always kne this hten the straps "But it’s all right I understand nohat Iot to do for Carthya"

"Ien would --"