“We don’t have to be friends,” Ravenna called, narrowing the gap between them. “But I will see you aimed true. Let that resolve matters between us, once and for all, so when we part, we can do so with no further enmity between us.”
Esmerelda pulled to a sudden stop. Ravenna kept on with her prattling, but Esmerelda raised a hand, cutting her words to a halt. “Do you hear that?” she whispered.
Ravenna started to say no, but then her head c****d to the side. Listening. She reached behind her, for her bow. Esmerelda touched the dagger strapped against her thigh.
“Horses. A dozen, or more,” she responded, dropping her voice so low Esmerelda had to read her lips. “They’ve stopped.”
A meaningful look passed between the two women. There was little chance they could win a fight against men. Bu
