Rissa desperately tried to contemplate a route of escape, even as her arrow stayed steadfast on the captain. She knew the mountains on one side and the sharp drop to the valley on the other were not options. They could try and make a run for it and lose them in the forest, but the soldiers astride their horses made a daunting line between them and the trees. Another option would be to go back the way they had come and try to outrun them, but she doubted very much their malnourished animals could outrun the soldier’s healthy horses. Her hand shook slightly as the only obvious solution came to mind. They would have to stand.
“King Calis is a fool if he thinks he’ll take any of us alive,” Avery snarled, coming to the same realization and brandishing her sword in threat.
“So be it,” the capt
