9 Escape is Futile
The two carriages stormed through the woods, away from the warring forces in Loxx. Smoke from the burning city billowed in the distance. Julius and Rin spurred the horses onward with periodic slaps, carefully navigating the narrow forest paths. Lucas silently sulked. He was a fighter, and leaving his home behind hurt him deeply. He thought of his father, his mother, and all the people of Loxx that he believed he had failed to protect from the Baron’s advance. A seed of doubt slipped into his mind, planting itself firmly within his well-hidden insecurities.
“We lost…” he whispered.
“Not yet, Lucas. We’ll get him next time. We just need more help.” Bartas encouraged.
Lucas shrugged off Bartas’ optimism with an unchanging glare of self-loathing. Dorian did the same, s
