Page 27 of The Throne's Undoing

"We've got company!" Dani shouted.

Medenia hurried toward Kalisandre. "Let's get her on the horse."

"No time," Dani argued, tugging on the reins of her mount only a couple of yards away before jumping off. Dust motes flew into the air as her feet hit the ground.

"We're staying to fight?" Sylvia asked, causing Emmett's face to pale.

Ellie pulled two throwing knives from the belt strapped over her right shoulder.

"It's our only choice," Dani said.

"How many?" Graeson asked, taking out his second scimitar.

Sylvia tried handing one of their daggers to Emmett, but he shrunk away from the blade, refusing to take it.

"Shut up and take it," Sylvia spat, forcing the dagger into Emmett's hand and folding his fingers over the hilt.

"Two squads," Dani said in response to Graeson, "about fifteen in total."

"Shit," Emmett hissed and cradled the dagger closer to his chest.

Graeson's jaw flexed as he glanced at Kalisandre's unconscious body from the corner of his eye. "How long?"

"Only a few minutes, if that. I tracked the group to the river south of us. I ran into one of their lookouts and quickly dispatched him before he could alert the others. Unable to take them all by myself, I hurried back. But a horse galloping through the woods isn't the most discreet form of escape. They'll be on us sooner rather than later."

"Best we take them head-on anyway," Ellie determined, bouncing on her toes. "They were bound to catch up to us at some point." She shrugged.

"How did they even find us? I thought we covered our tracks?" Medenia asked, short sword in hand.

Dani stepped forward, teeth bared. "Are you questioning me, Princess?"

Graeson spun the scimitars in his hands. "It doesn't matter how they found us, only that theydid."

"Medenia, you good to fight?" Ellie asked.

"Always," the princess said, her expression hardening.

Dani nodded. "You and Sylvia will stay close to the three of them," she ordered, pointing to Terin, Kalisandre, and Emmett.

Terin stepped forward. "I can fight. I don't need someone to--"

She snapped, "Do not argue with me about this, Terin. Not right now. By the gods, fight if you are attacked, but we do not need you running into the fray."

"Dani's right. You and Kalisandre must be protected," Graeson said.

"And what about Medenia?" Terin argued.

Medenia snorted, a look of pure steel shining in her eyes. "I can handle myself."

Dani peered into the forest, as if expecting intruders at any moment. "With that settled, Ellie, you and I will take the borders. Graeson?"

"I know my place," Graeson said, twirling his two blades. Dani nodded before walking toward the perimeter of the area they occupied. He looked to Terin and the others. "Stay safe."

"We've got her," Terin assured him, but Graeson wasn't sure if he felt any better.

Graeson turned away and closed his eyes as the others prepared themselves. At some point, the birds had grown silent.

The soldiers were close.

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