Chapter 379: Chapter 379: Sarah

I expected to be booted immediately, or at least called out for my presence. Surely the look the young rider gave me told me she knew exactly the state of affairs surrounding my identity and my illegal presence on the premises. Instead, she smiled, offering one hand, strong as I shook it in too much shock not to react on instinct.

"I've heard a lot about you," she said like we'd met casually and not during my lowest moment of criminal enterprise. "My aunt speaks very highly of you."

Aunt? It took me a second to make the connection, to pair the dark brown eyes with ones familiar already, to note the blonde bun pinned under the rim of her black velvet helmet, the shape of her cheekbones, lips, jawline. Even her build and the way she carried herself as she retrieved her hand, using it to pat the neck of the mare next to her, the giant creature bobbing her head and snorting, one large hoof impacting the ground in a thud of protest at being forced to stand still.