Eleven
Ambush
Summer 960 MC
The sun was high in the sky by the time the entourage was ready to move. Anna sat in her carriage along with her maid, Sophie and Tempus, while outside, the soldiers were forming up. King Leofric had provided a Royal Guard for the visitors, and these troops made up two detachments; one to the front and the other to the rear of the column. In between marched the knights, with Hayley leading, the princess's bodyguard under the command of Sir Arnim, and the servants, who followed behind the Royal Carriage. Gerald rode to one side, while Beverly rode her horse, Lightning, to the other.
Alric had watched them mount up and was stunned by the sheer size of the Mercerian Chargers. He had been raised around horseflesh, even considered himself a master rider, but the
