Chapter 7
THE HORSE tore down a muddy path, throwing up clods of dirt with its hooves, and then plunged into the darkness of the forest. Johanna had to hold on with all her might not to fall off. The horse wouldn’t stop. She had dropped the reins and they dangled somewhere down the sides of the horse’s neck, but she couldn’t get them without letting go of the edge of the saddle and if she did that, she would surely fall off. She had no idea if anyone still followed her. It was too dark between the trees. She thought she heard the sound of hooves behind her, but couldn’t be certain. In fact, the further into the forest the horse went, the less certain she became.
A quick glance over her shoulder revealed only darkness. No sign of Roald’s horse. No sign of the bandits. She had no idea wher
