The cold night wind howled across the forest as Travis and Mugo galloped into the darkness, their horses kicking up clouds of dust in their desperate flight.
But even the night could not silence the thunder of hooves behind them.
"They just won't quit, will they?" Mugo growled, glancing over his shoulder at the approaching dust cloud.
Travis's eyes narrowed. "Persistent bastards."
He scanned their surroundings quickly—flatlands to the east, wild thickets to the west. The only real option was up.
"We'll take the mountains," he decided. "Harder to follow us there. We'll make our stand if we have to."
Without hesitation, they spurred their horses off the beaten path. The terrain grew uneven, the forest thinning into rocky slopes. The cries of pursuit faded briefly—only to be replaced by something worse.
From ahead, a sharp voice rang out.
"Where do you think you're going?"
