“We aren’t close enough to the stronghold to beat them there,” Yue said.
“We could loose the carriage, ride the horses,” Wren suggested.
Nik shook his head. “We can’t unharness the horses without stopping.”
“Then we split up,” Wren said.
“No,” Yue and Galen said together.
“We aren’t splitting up,” Galen said. I was half-surprised he didn’t offer to throw us to the bandits so they could make a clean getaway.
“We run,” Nik said. “If we’re lucky, we get within sight of the stronghold wall. There will be guards and soldiers on the rampart.” He looked at Galen. “Stay beside us as long as you can. Then go wide, and try to get behind them.”
Galen nodded, and Wren and I shared a look, and they moved their horses away from the carriage.
“Let’s go,” he called out to Wren.
“Yah!” Yue called out, the reins snapping as she urged the animals into a run. The carriage jerked forward as they picked up speed, tossing me into Nik’s lap.
He grinned down at me. “Throwing yourself at me just in case we don’t survive?”
“Very funny.” I climbed up and steadied myself in the now rocking carriage.
“Do you know how to fight?”
“I’m more of a runner.”
He nodded. “Good. If it comes to it, take a horse, make for the stronghold. You’ve ridden, so you understand the basics.”
“I’m not going to steal an imperial horse or leave Wren.”
“Only if it comes to that. And in the meantime…” He tossed aside one of the cushions and lifted the top of the bench. Inside was a full cache of military-style supplies. Sheathed shortswords, rope, grappling hooks, maces, and things I couldn’t even name.
“Were you planning for war?”
“Soldiers are always planning for war.” He pulled out a small crossbow, the entire weapon shorter than my arm. “How’s your aim?” he asked as he checked its components.
“I have no idea.” I held out my hands. “But I’d like to find out.”
He handed it to me. It was lighter than I’d thought.
“Tiller,” he said, pointing to the main center post. “Bolts,” he said, and handed me two bundles of short metal rods that tapered into points at one end.
Then he showed me how to pull back the string, nestle it into the catch, and place the bolt. “Aim higher than you’d think. The bolt will drop as it moves. Press here when you’re ready.” He pointed to a small metal latch. “The range won’t be as far as a larger crossbow, and it won’t do as much damage. But even spooking the horses may give us time.”
I nodded. “All right.”
He frowned. “Aren’t you scared? Most civilians would be.”
“When you’ve already lost everything, there’s nothing left to be afraid of.”
“In a different life, Fox, you might have been a soldier.”
Then he cursed when an arrowhead suddenly punched through the back of the carriage, barely a hand’s width above his head.
“Arrows!” Wren called out.
“Yes, we can see that!” he yelled.
