Autumn 1094 SR
The sky was clear and the sun warm as they rode out to the northeast. Ludwig had promised an exciting day but had avoided any mention of their destination. Charlaine put her trust in him, and now they rode full out, stretching their horses" legs in a mad gallop. They only slowed as they neared Erhard’s Folly, Ludwig finally catching up to her.
“We’ll go slightly east here,” he said, “and avoid the hills.”
“Won’t that take us through the forest?”
“It will, but the woods are thin. Once we clear them, we’ll turn north towards the river.”
“The river? That sounds exciting.”
“Not half as much as what lies within it,” he said.
“Come now, you could at least give me a hint?”
Ludwig grinned, showing his irresistible smile. “And give it away? I think not.”
“Then how do you kno
