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“Stop them!” A voice rings out behind us.

Guards move to block the gate, weapons drawn. Too many to fight without revealing who I really am. I assess angles, distances, and can see only one option.

“The cart.” I shout to Varam, changing direction without breaking stride.

We launch ourselves onto the merchant’s loaded cart as it passes through the gate. The impact staggers the driver and startles the guards. The merchant cries out in surprise, trying to control his terrified horses. The animals bolt forward, sensing danger in the air, and carry us through the gate before the guards can react properly.

“After them!” The command echoes behind us as the cart is pulled forward, the horses hooves thundering on stone.

Arrows whistle past, guards on the wall firing at our fleeing forms. One strikes the cart, embedding in wooden slats mere inches from my position. The driver abandons any attempt to control the panicked horses, diving from the moving cart to avoid being associated with escaping suspects.

The cart hurtles down the road away from Ashenvale, bouncing violently over uneven ground. Behind us, mounted guards pour from the gate in pursuit.

“They’re gaining on us,” Varam shouts from where he’s clinging to the side of the cart.

I rapidly judge the distance, working out our chances of outrunning mounted pursuit. “We need to reach the forest edge.”

The treeline appears ahead, perhaps two hundred yards distant. If we can reach it, the dense woodland will take away the advantage of mounted pursuit.

A horn sounds, another signal to their archers on the wall. Arrows rain down around us, most missing as the cart’s erratic movement creates an unpredictable target. One strikes the wheel, splintering wood but not breaking it. Another tears through the fabric near my shoulder, so close the tip grazes skin.

“We’re not going to make it to the trees.”

I twist to see what Varam means. The distance between us and the Authority soldiers is shrinking rapidly. The thundering hooves grow louder, closing in with every heartbeat.

“When I say jump, follow me left into theditch.”

The moment comes as we round a curve in the road, temporarily obscuring us from view of the wall arches.

“Now!”

We leap from the cart, rolling down the embankment and into a ditch that runs alongside the road. The impact drives the breath from my lungs, mud and water soaking through clothes. Above us, the cart continues its wild journey, keeping the soldiers chasing it while we remain hidden.

“Stay down,” I whisper as their horses thunder past, focused on the runaway cart. The ground shakes beneath us with each passing mount.

We press ourselves into the mud, water flowing around us. Shadow responds to my need for concealment, deepening the darkness surrounding us.

The main group of soldiers pass, but two riders remain behind, scanning the roadside. They dismount.

“Check down there,” one says, pointing close to where we’re hiding.

I prepare to fight, shadows dancing between my fingers. Varam tenses beside me, knife appearing in his hand.

One of the guards takes two steps in our direction, then stops. My muscles tense, ready to strike if he takes one more step.

“New orders,” his companion calls. “The commander wants everyone at the forest edge.”

The guard hesitates, peering toward our hiding place. “Something doesn’t feel right.”

“Orders are orders,” his companion insists. “Commanders are signaling retreat.”

With obvious reluctance, the guard returns to his horse. They mount quickly, galloping toward the forest. Their hoofbeats fades into the distance.

“That was fortunate.” Varam slides the knife back into his belt.

I nod, but don’t speak. We stay where we are for a few minutes longer, while I check through shadows to make sure there is no one waiting. Every second feels like an eternity. Once I’m satisfied, we climb from the ditch, mud-covered and soaked, but free from pursuit.

Behind us, Ashenvale’s horns continue to sound. Ahead lies the crossing where Ellie, Mira and the others should be waiting.