Hearing the woman's peals of dismay, Lady Marie slowed down her borrow steed, coming to a halt nearby the servant woman. The constant thrill and worry of the journey had kept Lady Marie almost in a trance before she saw the Avonleigh estate approaching - here, she hoped, there might be some relief.<br/><br/>"I need to speak to the Lord of this estate immediately! Falkovnian soldiers ride from the South."<br/><br/>It took to the end of her words for Lady Marie to realize how forward and important she sounded - not very fitting for one of her sex, but it pleased her dearly to be so adventurous. To always be so free and powerful...<br/><br/>Lady Marie pushed those thoughts from her mind, focusing on the present. Her look to the woman was urgent.