The forest pressed in and the dark and silent shadows around Cassandra and Rainne caused them to look over their shoulder at every small sound as they trudged through the underbrush. It had only been a few hours since their escape, but the threat of the mercenaries still lingered. They were a three days' journey from Liconermo, the kingdom that they held in the palm of their hands as the highest trained assassins, and every step brought the weight of distance pressing harder on their minds.
Rainne limped slightly, still recovering from the tight quarters of their captivity. "We need to stop soon," she muttered. "We can't keep pushing at this pace without rest. Were going to burn out."
Cassandra didn't look back, her sharp gaze scanning the path ahead. "We can't afford to stop. Not yet. We need to put more distance between us and them."
Rainne glanced over her shoulder, her brows knitting together. "You think they'll follow us? We escaped in the dead of night. They've got to be stumbling around in the dark by now."
Cassandra slowed slightly, her hand hovering near the hilt of her blade. "Never assume they're stumbling. Those men—especially that leader—aren't amateurs. We were lucky to get out when we did."
Rainne sighed but didn't argue. Cassandra was always the more practical one, always thinking five steps ahead. That's why she was the lead on missions, and why Rainne had trusted her judgment with her life many times.
The trees started to thin out as they reached the edge of a rocky clearing. The moon cascaded a pale light on the jagged stones, and Cassandra crouched low, motioning for Rainne to do the same.
"We'll rest here for a few hours," Cassandra whispered, her voice barely audible. "There's enough cover, and the rocks will make it harder for them to track us."
Rainne sank gratefully against one of the boulders, pulling out her waterskin and taking a careful sip. "You know," she began, glancing at Cassandra, "you could've just let me charm our way out of there."
Cassandra arched her brow. "By petting another horse?"
Rainne laughed softly, despite herself. "Alright, alright. Bad call. But next time, we could at least try something other than getting caged and almost dropped on spikes."
Cassandra leaned against a rock, watching Rainne with a faint smirk. "Next time, you don't touch anything. I'll handle it."
Rainne chuckled and closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the exhaustion weigh on her. But sleep wouldn't come easy. The shadows in the distance seemed to move, and every rustle of leaves sounded like a distant footfall. She knew Cassandra was right, they couldn't let their guard down.
Cassandra sat beside her, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. "We'll be home soon," she murmured. "Three days, and we'll be back at Liconermo. We just have to keep moving. Stay sharp."
Rainne opened one eye, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "You always say that. What happens when I get too sharp? Won't I cut you?"
Cassandra rolled her eyes but smirked. "Maybe you'll cut the next horse you pet."
Rainne lightly smacked Cassandra in the arm, "Keep your mouth shut Cass, never know when you're the one petting the next horse."
The night stretched on as they kept watch, knowing that every hour they stayed alive was another hour closer to safety. Liconermo called to them like a beacon, but the road there was far from clear. Even with their captors far behind them, the journey home was still going to be treacherous.
Cassandra's grip tightened on her sword. They would make it. One way or another. They have to.