Reymen and Beldren finished their plan and met back with the others. Jorick made a remark about their long absence, then loaded Filippo onto his horse. Reymen hurried to put Catalina on the guard's mount, taking the opportunity to weaken the bond around her ankles.

Finished, Reymen climbed on his own steed, allowing the animal to fall in line with no commands from him. He let his mind wander down dark paths that all ended in the same question: was this worth the risk? Were ...