Well, the lord may manage to slip out out of the castle without notice, but at least she was always just behind. She still managed to be the annoying terrier ever at Jonah's heel. She was starting to learn her lord's secrets and each time he slipped free, she was closer and closer to him. Soon, he wouldn't be able to give her the slip. She just had to keep up her vigil. And blast it if the lord didn't have the fastest horse in the stables! Her horse wasn't as close as she wished. Her short blond hair whipped about her face as she raced forward, calling after her lordling but her words seemed to be swallowed in the wind. Aria glanced behind her to see the castle was fading from view. This is the farthest Jonah had ever gone. Usually he turned back by now but he was heading deeper into the borderlands. This was dangerous roads. The La'Coi had been sighted around these parts more and more frequently as of late. They were a ruthless people that attacked first and asked questions later.
Her cerulean gaze flitted to the trees that they started to weave among and she caught sight of movement. Was that a lizard? She looked back at Jonah to see a vine suddenly grow taught against his horse's legs. Jonah's horse gave a screech as it stumbled, throwing its rider off as it tumbled and rolled on the ground. Aria's heart fluttered into her throat and chocked her as she watched the young lord roll. "Jonah!" she cried.
From the trees several of the La'Coi appeared, one stabbing the fallen horse and wrenching its spear quickly; the horse went still. Aria gave a battle cry as she withdrew her sword and leaped over the vine that had tripped Jonah's horse. She swung her blade around her, trying to cut one of the La'Coi but they wove away from the flashing steel with quite the show of agility and flexibility. "Stay back you animals," she growled, her horse stamping, huffing. Its sides were heaving as its eyes darted between the hostile forest dwellers and the scent of blood.