Tributary (River of Time 3.2 Novella) by Bergren Lisa T

Author:Bergren, Lisa T. [Bergren, Lisa T.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bergren Creative Group, Inc.
Published: 2012-06-08T05:00:00+00:00

~EVANGELIA~

I pounded down an open road, urging my gelding faster, but then had to slow to pick my way through the forests. And I had to entirely avoid the winding riverbed and boulder field that left me exposed. I couldn’t risk the guards at Castello Greco spotting me and riding out to find out what I was up to.

The border was just a mile distant now, across an ancient creek bed that the Nine had defined as the new dividing line between Firenze and Siena, reclaiming territory that had been in Fiorentini hands for two generations. Trees had been felled on either side, widening the line. Castello Forelli sent groups of six men to spend three days at a time up here at the old watchtower, but Gabi and I had only visited once for a celebration, and when we did, we’d been surrounded by fifty of their best warriors.

I shoved down another shiver of fear as I rounded a bend in the road. I wished she could be here, with me. Beside her, I was stronger. I touched the bow on my shoulder. Especially now…

When my mare stumbled a bit, I renewed my focus on the old Roman road, knowing I had to concentrate. Just get through this and—

I saw them, then. Two Fiorentini knights, staring dolefully back at me, a thousand paces away. Scouts. My heart set into a triple-time beat as I muttered a word I’d never say around my future niece or nephew.

Because scouts, often heading into enemy territory and forced to fight for their lives, were some of the fiercest among knights. And they were on two of the most beautiful, strongest horses I’d seen in a while. Can’t outrun them.

I touched my bow again, searching my heart. Surely now...

But I couldn’t. Couldn’t take another life. Rob another mother of her son. A wife of her husband. A child of his father…

The “Survivor” mantra came back to me. Outwit. Outplay. Outlast. Outwit, outplay, outlast, outwit, outplay, outlast…

Panic washed through me as the scouts dug their heels into the flanks of their mounts, charging toward me. I immediately wheeled my own horse to the left and trotted down a trail, into the brush and trees. I had no idea where it led. I only hoped to God that it would provide an escape rather than trap me in.

I didn’t look back, forcing myself to concentrate on the path ahead. Soon it was weaving beside a hill that became a cliff. Maybe an old goat trail, I thought. The forest was thick to my left, and the cliff rose steeply to my right. With limited options, all I could think was hurry, Lia, hurry. Terror at the thought of a scout’s arrow piercing my back surged through me. I had trouble concentrating, I was so scared.

But even that thought couldn’t make me take my bow from my back, nock an arrow, shoot another man. I was so done with that. So done. I can’t, Lord. I can’t. I can’t I can’t I can’t.

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