CHAPTER ELEVEN
Royce led the way down from the hillside, through the trees, with the others following along behind him as closely as they could. Lofen and Garet helped one another, while Raymond was almost level with Royce. Royce strode quickly, wanting to get out of there before any fresh threats came to them. Above him, Ember circled, the magic that connected them showing him that the Picti were still watching from spots within the trees. It would only take a moment for them to start attacking again, and then he and his friends would be lost.
“Why do you think they aren’t trying to kill us?” Matilde asked. She was dragging along the Picti girl she’d knocked half-unconscious with a length of rope, like the prize of some noble out on a raid.
“Let her go,” Royce said.
“But she was tryin
