‘You are right. I do not want to hear it.’ She adjusted the folds of her cloak. ‘I think I have had enough of men telling me what I can and cannot do for now.’ Her eyes began to well up. ‘I am tired, hungry, and cold—but mostly hungry.’ Her hand went to her stomach. ‘I cannot thank you enough for your assistance last night. And this morning.’ She lowered her voice. ‘And this past week. But now I think we should go our separate ways.’ With that, she started walking, praying she was going in the right direction. She heard Blackmane cursing repeatedly under his breath as he dismounted and came after her on foot.

‘We’re going to the same place,’ he said, ‘and you want to travel separately?’

‘What I want is a few moments of peace after a very difficult week.’

‘So you’re going to walk to the place that you have no idea how to get to?’

‘I was raised here, defender. I might not know my directions, but I know my landmarks. And Margery will guide me along the way.’

‘It’s at least eighteen miles from here.’

‘These boots are surprisingly comfortable.’

Blackmane looked down at them. ‘Maybe for the first five miles. Then you’ll have more blisters than you can count.’

She picked up her pace.

‘I gather you know all the local water sources too?’ he continued.

She rolled her eyes at that. ‘Do not pretend you know that. You found the stream back there because you heard the running water. I have ears too.’

‘The difference is I know how to get water from other sources if there’s none to be found.’

‘Yet another way you are superior to me. Congratulations.’

He caught hold of her arm. ‘Stop. You can’t walk eighteen miles with Hodge in pursuit. You want to feel useful. I get it.’

She tore her arm free and was about to respond to that, but he whipped his head around to look behind him, going deadly still.

Isabel peered nervously past him. ‘What is—’

He clamped a hand over her mouth, then ushered her behind a nearby tree. He gestured for her to be quiet and remain where she was, then slowly retrieved his bow and quiver. Weapon loaded and aimed, he shouted, ‘Show yourself. Come out with your hands where I can see them.’

No one appeared.

Isabel listened intently, but there was not a thread of noise to grab hold of.

A few moments passed, and she remained silent as instructed. But then she saw movement. It was like the trees were coming to life around them.