What was she supposed to be feeling in that moment? Probably sad, that seemed like what a young woman about to leave home for the first – and last – time might reasonably be feeling. All Pyria could feel was a low-burning anger like coals and embers in her gut.
How could her parents really do this to her? Never in her life had they indicated that an arranged marriage was something they were even considering. It was all that damn Nathaniel Fairhall's fault. The man was her distant cousin on her mother's side, she thought. Why should some stupid lord from another part of Ravensway have a say in her life? Sure, the Fairhalls had a lot more money than they did, and they held a lot more respect and influence in the court, but that shouldn't mean that she had to pay for it!
Pyria didn't even look back as she rode down the forest road on the back of a dapple grey mare. The horse was stunningly beautiful, with thick, powerful legs and feathering. She was a beast bred for long steady treks along treacherous terrain. They'd tried to give her a sleek roan mare with long legs, but she'd refused. The young woman didn't need a show horse; she needed a stalwart mount that would carry her as long and far as necessary.
Nobody had really questioned her choice. She'd always been fond of Ashland; the mare had been her mount of choice for at least seven years. Pyria thought she'd seen a flicker of disappointment from her parents when she'd rejected the roan, she figured the animal had been an attempt to bribe forgiveness out of her. At least they didn't suspect the other reason she'd chosen Ashland.
Neither did the four men escorting her down the winding trade road.
They all watched the forest, but barely looked at her. She supposed that's what they were there for. Not that anyone anticipated trouble on the relatively straightforward trip, but bandits, brigands, ruffians, and all manner of ill-bred men could ambush travelers on any road. Theirs was one not heavily trafficked, most preferred the wide roads designed for carriages and wagons to pass easily. Forest paths weren't ideal for trade routes, but they could be safer for lightly burdened journeys for small parties like theirs.
Four days out from her former home, that was when Pyria had figured they'd be far enough from home, but not nearly close enough to her future husband, to make her break for it.
The men had begun preparing for the night's camp, and Pyria stood off to the side, fiddling with Ashland's tackle and stroking the patient mare, but not actually removing the riding gear. Nobody else noticed, and as soon as they'd hobbled their horses she was back in the saddle and racing through the trees off the beaten path to a chorus of surprised and distressed shouts.
They'd never catch her! Even if they rode bareback, with the failing light only Pyria was able to see through the twisting undergrowth of the northernmost edges of the Draconi forest. Her guards risked injuring their mounts trying to navigate through the darkness of night.
It was exhilarating for a while. What was more exciting than riding through the forest at a breakneck sprint when you weren't supposed to? This would teach them all. Her stupid guards, her dumb parents, and definitely that jerk from Adela that thought he could own her! She almost wished she could be there to see their faces when they got the news that she'd gone and run away. Maybe that would get it through their thick heads that she wasn't something to be given away or claimed or owned.
After a while, well, it got less fun. Once the initial excitement wore off and Pyria truly stopped to take in her surroundings, well, she was totally lost. The dense forests between Serendipity were wild and overgrown, places were dangerous creatures lurked and though not really afraid, as a sheltered young woman of noble birth she didn't really know how to take care of herself this far from home.
There was at least one thing she knew – poor Ashland needed rest and a nice drink after all that running. Good thing the rivers branched into countless streams and tributaries, so finding a clear flowing creek was not difficult. There even seemed to be some kind of pathways leading to the water.
She thought that they might lead to small forest settlements.
Or they were game trails.
Ashland had barely started drinking before the animal was tossing her head and stomping her hooves in fear. Pyria tried to scramble back into the saddle, but a clawed paw came out of the dark, snagging her boot and dragging her to the ground as she screamed. She was able to glance back at some cat-like monstrosity and screamed again.
Great, run away for freedom and just end up eaten!
