Vienna wrapped the soaked sweater around her and rubbed her hands. Her body was sore from the long night, and she had no choice but to move on. She had not quite figured out how she would get back into the castle, but there was an advantage to being so far away. She had plenty of time to figure it out.
The hours dragged, and her calves burned. Her heavy boots were still wet, and her feet squeezed uncomfortably inside them, with blisters forming due to the moisture. She tried not to think about her discomfort and focused instead on the sun rising in the sky and the tall grass lining her path across the open field. If she just kept going, she would get there ultimately.
Just then, hooves suddenly thundered behind her. "I say there, do not move!" a male voice that she did not recognize boo
