[Amanaduial the archer]

Fionel came back at a walking pace from setting one of the three traps now out, horse pits- about a metre deep, about half that wide, with an uneven bottom, almost guaranteed to break a horse's leg. As she came back, she heard Haven speak. Fionel took note of Haven's words and, although she still felt a little resentment against this cosy palace worker, she agreed. Quickening her pace to almost a jog, she arrived with them. Desolyn and Santiara, who had dug the other two traps, had already just arrived.

"She is right."

Desolyn looked at her, surprised and a little irritated. "No...no, we won't run, we need to set the traps."

"We've set a few, quite well spaced, the hunters no doubt will sprawl out, and unless the ride in single file, if they ride this way, at least one of the horses will be saying goodbye to their leg." She spread her hands and sighed. "I don't want to be ever running either. But they will set off in about three hours. We need to at least get a little more distance between us and them."

"For how long?" Now it was the man Turos who spoke up. "We cant all keep going forever, and I'm well aware that I will not be able to- damn leg."

Fionel shrugged, her face still hopeless, but she would have her way.

"I agree. We need to keep going forward. There's no way to go back, after all." Haven had spoken up this time. Fionel smiled slightly at her, but she wondered about the last few words. There's no way to go back...Would the girl want to? Fionel once more took in Haven; her skin paler than the rest of them, her hair longer, braided and beaded. She had looked after the children in the palace- there was a distinct difference between palace slaves and field workers. Indeed, Fionel had heard many a joke among those she worked with that the field slaves may as well bow to 'Ekatran's pets', and even as she stood there, in the middle of a group, she was still alone, isolated. There was such a chasm between Haven and the rest...but it wasnt unbridgeable. Hatred for Ekatran had flashed in Haven's eyes when she was called, only quelled for the children who she cared for- the children of the enemy, children who would grow up to be just like their mothers and fathers. The children of Nurn didnt really see the slaves as people- the guttersnipes had thrown stones and mud at Fionel as she walked through the city in the time when she worked in the palace, and those in the palace sneered at her, whispered and giggling meanly about Fionel's clothing and appearance. But none of it really meant anything to them- the palace children didnt see a girl their age or a few years older, they saw another piece of furniture. The gutter children saw a target, just a part of their game, like the stones they threw and the chipped glass marbles they played with.

But she wasnt completely invisible was she? And one girl had found that out, when Fionel had finally snapped at her. Glancing once more at Haven, Fionel wondered if she too had met the little brat who had got her thrown back to the fields.

"Fionel?"

Fionel almost jumped as she heard her name said by the elven girl, her voice hesitant and soft, like quiet music to the ears. "Hmm?"

"We're going." Desolyn answered this time. She didnt look happy, but she didnt look resentful either. It seemed she must have seen the sense in running, for a while, but the others also wore the same expression- they all still held faith in Desolyn's plan. The had to. "We will run." She now addressed the whole group. "Not too fast, say a jog, so you can keep going for longer. We will go for about two hours, then we will rest once more."

Fionel nodded. "Fine, great. I suggest we run in pairs, so you have someone to keep to speed with. We arent just a mindless herd like they think." She ended with a small side smile.

They were small murmers of agreement, and then everyone started to shuffle into place. Fionel and Desolyn originally ended up together. Fionel smiled at Desolyn, glad, like a school child who has been picked to be on a team, then her smile faded slightly. She glanced back, the other following her gaze. Her voice was low when she spoke. "No, we cannot go together. You and I both know we are some of the strongest in this group, Des, and we need to lead them, helping them keep up as well. There are others who may not be able to keep going as well, for whatever reason."

Des's eyes strayed to Manituros. She nodded. "Do you want to take the front or the back?"

Fionel had her eyes on the one who she had picked as her own partner, still alone. "I will lead, if thats alright with you."

Des nodded, spreading a hand forward with a smile. "Be my guest."

Fionel returned the smile, gratified, then turned back and walked to the one who she had chosen. She grinned at her warmly, wanting to dispell any bad feeling or anxiety. "Running with anyone, Hay?"