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Goss started to rear and Arappled with the reins to keep hih to mount, he heard more hooves, multiplied many times over, in pursuit One, then five, then ten, then twenty riders altogether whipped by and spurred their horses after Lady Estora

“Oh, no,” Ae and spirit in her escape atteed it—but he had no hope it would end ith soher

His only choice noas to follow

The plan, Karigan thought, was sial could escape Disguised as Estora and riding her white mare to complete the illusion, it was not difficult to lure the ruffians after her

From there, it was supposed to be easy: outrun thehtfall so she could use her ability and vanish She’d ride to a waystation on the Adolind border, hide and rest, then return to Sacor City to report

Unfortunately she erred by not taking Falan’s ability into account The mare lacked the speed and endurance of Condor, and the poor thing had been cruelly pushed on her journey west She tired rapidly

Karigan should have waited until closer to sundown to make her move, but the ruffians were so close to their hideout she was certain they would have been trapped if she waited At least this way Estora and Fergal had a chance at escape

Her own chances? She glanced over her shoulder and saw the riders several horse lengths behind her, and gaining Not good

Falan stu securely and she didn’t lose her seat The an knew it meant the pursuers were even closer

She hurtled through the intersection of the crossroads, willing the mare to run faster The farther she led the ruffians on, the better chance Estora and Fergal had of escaping

Odd, but it wasn’t all that long ago Karigan had felt hurt every time she saw Estora around the castle after the betrothal announceet away frouised as Estora; Estora as to an had fallen in love with

When she’d seen Estora at the crossroads, all the resentment and hurt had fallen away, and she had not hesitated to aid her Her actions here and noould, if all ell, allow Estora to return to King Zachary so they could marry as planned She appreciated the irony, but she also knew her duty Estora’s safety caan had tried to distance herself from her and end their friendship, she was still a friend

But why did Estora have to be such a lady and ride sidesaddle?