“RIDE!” ALESSAN CRIED,  POINtING tOARDS A GAP IN t;theres a village beyond!”

    Devin s tohe sun.

    Be of t eig looked back, after t startled glimpse of tlaed command to .

    t be. t a bone-jarring pace for ired. If to be a flat-out race against fresed outlated eeting of reopened cuts from ains earlier t day.

    tled past urn in co o te attempt at suche wind.

    tic arrohem.

    quot;t; Erlein rasped, glancing back as ;o this village!”

    quot;ty minutes beyond! Ride!quot; Alessan did not s again, bending loo urge more speed from o track of tween.

    t get out.

    Just o follo riders ing in a line across t them.

    to rearing s. Devin flung a glance back over laering tc ill embedded.

    Alessan, sae, defiant look in the Princes eye.

    quot;Dont be a fool!quot; Erlein snapped. quot;You cant run t kill this many men.”

    quot;I can try,quot; Alessan said, ing across teep o find a . opped  raise the bow.

    quot;Straigo a trap.  a splendid ending to t; ter, raion.

    It rue too late. tural place for an ambusriad knelao t.

    On t o go, and .

    It didnt seem as if to get till enoug to make out tla reassure. t be random and carelessly  ten-doures most brigands rode. t of t trap.

    One man rode a fe line. quot;Release your bo; h easy

    auty. quot;I dont like talking h armed men.”

    quot;Neit; Alessan replied grimly, staring at t a moment later  o the same.

    quot;And t; tlaill softly.  s.