42
Making Peace with the Magic
Gretchen secured the last satchel to the saddle. Her breath unfurled before her in white tufts, giving color to her doubt. She’d stopped looking behind her when she reached the barn. There wasn’t anyone to stop her. All the men had ridden off to war, and Aylen, too. The thin guard Holden left for her hadn’t even noticed her slip away in the dead of night.
The horse neighed, swishing its head back and forth. She didn’t know this one’s name. It had been left behind, picked over for better, stronger beasts for the ride to war. She was a mare, with a light gray mane and even lighter eyes. Instead of resisting the call of a new rider, Silverwind, as Gretchen now thought of her, seemed eager for whatever attentions lay ahead. She lifted and dropped her feet, chu
