Lenore! Erin called out. It was too far for her sister to hear her, but Erin shouted it anyway. She started forward toward her sister, horse moving at a flat run now, Odd following in her wake.

The distance between them closed quickly. Erin could see every detail of her sisters face, see the fear there, but also the determination. She saw one of the chasing pack of riders getting closer, breaking from the pack. She raised her crossbow and fired it, saw the bolt arc out and slam into the mans chest. He toppled, and Erin kept riding.

She reached Lenore and wheeled her horse, all three stopping for a second. Lenore was staring at her, in obvious shock that her sister was there, but where else in the world would Erin be when Lenore was in danger?

Erin? How… how are you here? Lenore asked.

Im here to help you, Erin said.

Beside her, Odd raised his bow. He fired once, nocked another arrow, then fired again. Horses toppled among the chasing pack.

We need to go, he said. Reunions later.

We could hold here, Erin said. Give Lenore time to

No, Lenore said. Thats what Rodry did!

Rodry? Erin said.

Rodry… Lenore looked pale, shaking her head in grief. He came to save me. He fought to get me out, and… hes dead, Erin. Hes dead.

Grief hit Erin like a punch to the stomach. She felt as though she might fall from the saddle, the whole world starting to curl inward around her. She sat there blankly, not comprehending…

Then Odd slapped the side of her helmet, hard enough to make it ring. There is no time for this, he yelled at her. No time for grief, no time for hesitation. No time even for me to ask why your entire family seems to have the names of King Godwins children! We need to go.

Erin nodded, and wheeled her horse back toward the bridge, alongside Lenore and Odd. They galloped at full pelt, but a single glance back over her shoulder told her that the men there were closing, even though they were almost at the bridge. Erin could feel the slats of the bridge under her horses hooves now, but the men didnt stop. One was ahead of the others, an axe raised…

Odd was there, sword in hand, intercepting it and knocking the man from his saddle, off into the waters below. Erin saw Odd leap down, letting his mule keep running.

We need to face them, he called. We cant run fast enough over the bridge. Theyll just cut us down.

Erin dropped down beside him, onto the slats of the bridge, turning to face the onrush of enemies.

At least you didnt tell me to keep running, Erin said, as she readied her spear.