*****
Queen Fortuna took a step back, her heart pounding as the men closed in. The streets were too quiet. If only she hadn't delayed for that boy earlier, she would've made it to the stables by now. But it was too late. They were already here, waiting for her like wolves sensing their prey.
Running didn't seem like a good idea. She had no idea where the other streets would lead, and what if she ran into more of them? What if this was just the beginning?
"Beautiful lady, what are you doing out here alone in the dark?" one of them asked, his voice thick and mocking as his eyes roamed over her like she was something to eat. There were four of them. Big. Built. Foreign. They didn't look like locals, and even if they somehow recognized her as the queen, it wouldn't make things better. It might even make things worse.
