Up through the rolling hills, down into wide green valleys along streams and across a river. Instinctively Arian knew her captor was covering his tracks, and though she was no expert, she suspected he knew well how to do it. As the final ray of sun dipped beneath the western horizon, he turned off the path they had been on and into the thick wood. Branches grabbed and snagged at her hair, her arms, and her legs, leaving bloody scratches and bruises in their wake. She was beyond feeling pain, her mind and body gone numb from the day’s events. A small clearing opened up, and he reined in the great horse. With no gentleness, he dragged her from the saddle. She stumbled, and he grabbed her by the arm, steadying her. She yanked it from his grasp and hissed. “You are a brute!” His brilliant eyes speared her where she stood. “Aye, and do not forget it.” He turned his back on her, and she noticed he favored his right leg to the point he could barely put the weight of his body upon it.
