Flashback: the Gloryland army has found us

Nicholas and Luciana sat on the same horse with James and Dora on another as they made their way through the uneven forest path. The road was bumpy, and anytime the horse bounced, they bounced along with it. 

"Are you alright?" Nicholas worriedly asked Luciana from behind. 

"I'm fine; we can go a little faster than this. We don't need to move so slowly because of me," Luciana said. She could tell from James's worried face and his occasional glances behind them that there was something amiss. 

"Don't worry, your comfort is my topmost…" 

Nicholas had yet to complete his words when an arrow whipped through the air in his and Luciana's direction. He pressed Luciana down on the horse and caught the arrow with his bare hand.

The soldier who had released the arrow gulped at the sight and pulled another arrow, trying to shoot at them again, but his fingers were trembling, causing the arrow to fall.