Bella quickly devised a plan in her mind. No matter who these men were, with the King or not, they were dangerous. They killed a man in front of her. He was a traitor, but a man none of the less. What would they do to her? She needed to not anger them and be free of them as soon as possible. She thought all this as she gathered herself and moved from the wagon slowly. She looked around, seeing the setting sun and gathering her wits.
"Good sire, I am going but to the next town over. Its not but a day's ride and three if walking," Bella gestured to this horse drawing the cart, "if you will but leave me this horse, I can not burden you as I head Southward since you were heading Northward." Bella has been planning to head South to the capital to seek more regular work, perhaps as a maid to a lord or lady.
Edward scanned the young maid. How puzzling that she should want to be free of him so quickly. He normally had ladies swooning for his attention. Edward moved to study the horse in question. The horse's eyes were wild.
Edward commanded, "No fair maiden, this horse is not good for riding. It has no saddle and its been spooked."
Bella mused. "Then allow me to walk it so I may sell it in the next town." Bella eyed the horse. It felt like freedom.
"Young lass, that horse is a danger. I will give you shillings enough for a horse if that is what you require." Edward offered.
She was stuck. "Thank you fair lord, but that isn't necessary" She curtsied. It felt odd to her to curtsy, but she felt it required of her.
A noise was heard coming from the North. All the men looked at eachother with knowing expressions. "We need to move quickly. Come now lass."
Bella's forearm was pulled by the leader. He helped Bella into the stirrup and she guided her leg over with ease. He followed behind. The rest of the men were already mounted. With quick command, they all rode quickly towards the south. The horses galloped swiftly though the forest. She felt the great power under her in the form of the horse. If the man had not be behind her, holder her firm with a rang on either ride of her, she would have surely fallen. The party continued on until the horses grew very tired. The sun had firmly set, and there was only a last bit of light. They veered far from the path and found a stream for the horses. The men dismounted and began watering their horses rolling out their packs to sleep. Luckily for them it was still warm enough to sleep outside and not freeze, but not warm enough to not have a shiver all night.
The leader climbed down from the horse, and helped her off.
"Pardon me, good Lord." Bella said as sweetly as possible.
She went to the stream to splash water in her face to understand this new reality. She was with a group, who claimed loyalty to the King and was being hunted or followed by another group. She could do this. She could make it out alive. She was a survivor. She dried the water from her face with her sleeve.
She returned to the area the men were setting up a rough camp, and she began to roll out her own sack that she had packed to her walking journey to the next town over. Bella rolled out her mat, away from the other men. She found a spot, behind a tree, nestled between two perpendicular rocks. She saw the men, circled up and talking, but she slowly drifted off to sleep. And she didn't care if they left her here.