Justin woke with a start. His alarm hadn't gone off, for some reason. He was going to be late for-
The toe of a boot spurred the vulnerable spot between his ribs and pelvis.
"Ow!" he yelped, sitting up.
"On your feet!" barked Zechariah. "Never have I met someone who spent so much time on the ground!" He reared back to kick Justin again, and Justin scrambled, fleeing from the boot.
"Hey, I'm up!" he shouted. "What's the rush?"
"They have stopped to rest," growled Ahlund. He was on his steed. His face was blank. Emotionless. "And they still don't know they are being followed. If we ride hard, we'll catch them within the hour."
Within the hour? thought Justin.
He hurried to his steed while Zechariah mounted up. Again, Ahlund did not wait for them. He set his steed galloping over the gr
