As the horse moved forward, she found herself in the busy square of the city, the buzz of people and flickering of lanterns blurring in her vision.
Lanterns burned along the stalls, merchants shuttering their shops for the evening, people moving between the streets with baskets and carts. It was noisy enough that she almost believed the pounding of her heart would disappear into it.
But that noisy place was safe in this moment; it had saved her from the warrior chasing her, at least for now.
Her hand gripped the reins so tight her knuckles whitened, the other clutched her bleeding arm to her chest. She could feel the blood dripping from her sleeve, warm even as the air around her chilled.
Her vision was slowly being consumed by the darkness, but she couldn't allow herself to pass out in the middle of the streets. Who knows what might happen, or who might find her, she had to at least find somewhere safe.
