ith the sudden hal

quiet, we are surrounded. We must

handmaid has said and shakes off the grogginess of

den by the trees, but the men

mentions the trees. They have been traveling for a day and are close to th

has hired these assassins and which clan the Pivurlion associate wit

ravan without being seen,” Selma explains. He

bout th

y have come. To protect you, a

em,” Eliana argues

r if they are really even after you specifically. In any case, you must be led to safety. I will not allow you

but the elderly woman pushes her to the o

rees sway, but the breeze is to

ak and helpless as she relies on her maid to protect her. She closes her eyes not able to relax her muscl

let them die.

he wipes them away quickly befo

whispers as the crunch of one of the horses shi

. They are waiting too pat

ls with hundreds of little shivers as she thinks about the

ears are finally freed as she watches the blood run down the body of her bodyguard. The horse he is on screams and tries to run, but the creature, a hulking bear, latches onto the animal as well, tearing it to sh

ms its shoulder into one of the horses, se

ed,” Selma hisses grabbing the handle of

s futile, as they exit the wa

rieks and pushe

to the ground. She picks up her long dress and begins to sp

ad and as her heart jumps into her throat,

lady,” Selma orders

the image i

e fled. The two Xefol bring up their heads in the women’s direction

at them, stomping over the d

she cries in her mind. Panic starts to overtake E

istract them.” Selma calls after her as t

to die.” Eliana stumbles to a s

omed. King Krite will kill your father and no one will re

s with tears, “I do

Selma smiles at her kindly, and Eliana closes h

an, and if it is not quick enough

y,” the handmaid

heart is twisted, and her lungs refuse to allow oxygen through. She left

s in pain as she reaches back and tears her braid from a branch. Par

s rendered useless as it is snagged on crevices and branches, in which she has had to wrench it free several times. She steps

s an expanse of flowers, bees flying around them. A small cottage s

willpower to not drop to the ground where she is. There are no other life f

elma and my soldiers will have died in vain.” Swallowing her tear

he winces as she speaks, “Is anyone home?” When no one answers, she grabs a firepoker

catch her bearings. The cottage is warm, a small fire blazin

ening her senses once more, Eliana rushes into the first bedroom and slams the door closed. She scrambles onto the small bed that has a dark green blanket laying on top. She huddles in the corner, wrapping her arms around her tatter

kept running? What do I do now?

ossibly can, her body tense a