<strong>Thirteen Miles South of Avonleigh</strong>, [Marie d'Astineau & d'Angelo (a male servant)]<br/><br/><br/>Marie d'Astineau welcomed the news with worry and hurried to extricate herself from previous engagements to see to her father. He had been taking sick more and more often over the years, and his worsening condition set her ill at ease. Of the conflicts she could bear, any tragedy befalling her father would be worst; she urgently needed to return to him with all possible haste.<br/><br/>Marie's heart tumbled with excitement and apprehension. Six soldiers, maybe more? While the possibility quivered her hand, she knew that she wouldn't stand much of a chance against armed and armored soldiers, and couldn't trust the Falkovnians for sense or mercy. Her expression becoming grim, her eyes narrowed with the danger of their predicament.<br/><br/>"We can't trust ourselves to their generosity." She stole a look toward the Falkovnians, trying to hide her worry. "We must ride!" Marie took off with her horse at full gallop, her hands tight on the reins.<br/><br/>"We know this land better than they do. Let them try and follow!"<br/><br/>Marie murmured the words to herself, trying to sate her cavalier heart and the dizzying worry in her stomach.<br/><br/>(Initiative - 20, with bonus)