Chapter 46

Watching the others ride away was both disheartening and the faintest bit terrifying to Mariel. She was alone and she did not know when she would see the others again. Hopefully in seven days or less, if she could get the people over to her side to fight. They would invade the capital with thousands strong, if she was successful. But the fear that she would fail started creeping into her body, like ice on a window during winter. She wrapped her cloak around her tighter. She felt a sense of abandonment, even though she knew this was the plan, she still felt like the others were leaving her behind.

They are leaving me behind, she thought. But I am choosing to stay here as well.

Avril had looked back at her one last time, and that had touched her. Her heart ached for poor Avril and the loss of her husband. They did not know if he was alive or dead, but the chances pointed to the latter.