The witch clung to the saddle behind Rhistel. She had no words to offer Rhistel. her breaths shallow and her body twitching from the lingering pain of the cursed shawl. Rhistel's eyes stayed sharp, he rose faster as he crossed the last part of woods.
"Are you not afraid of your death?" she asked again but he did not reply. His eyes roamed to the woods as if he could already see their faces.
"You should run now," he said calmly to the witch behind him. "Stay hidden, or die where you kneel."
She didn't move, too stunned by the sudden change in his demeanor.
The witch hesitated, her pride flaring. "I should help. You saw it yourself—I have no choice now."
Rhistel turned his head slightly, his voice a razor. "And I told you to hide."
His eyes met hers, and something in his stare made her flinch. She felt her legs move on their own, dismounting before she could argue again.
