That night, when they stopped to rest, Lily spoke long with Dorain. Despite what Anest had told her, Lily wasn't convinced of the reasons that kept Dorain and Brogan apart. Dorain told Lily what she already suspected, and Lily kept the matter to herself, if only because she didn't know how she herself would fare in Dorain's place, and in her own case the subject was not moot. This would be something new in Lily's life that would not normally have been possible for her, and she told Dorain of her doubt and fear.
"Ah, Lily," Dorain groaned sympathetically, "does Anest know?"
Although Lily appeared a little frightened, she smiled. "He does not. He will, soon enough."
The following afternoon they increased their pace to a brisk trot. Small black shapes had been spotted in the distance, and Belloc, standing in his stirrups, looking out beneath one long hand appeared troubled.
"Mounted?" asked Celedhan.
"And coming in some numbers," answered the wizard. "We cannot outrun them. The accursed bindle are fast and deadly on the open plain. They will overtake us by late afternoon."
They increased their pace to a canter, conserving the horse's strength in case they had a chance to attain the Bridge Fortress on the River Grey at a full gallop. But by late afternoon it became obvious that most of the horses could not keep up this pace, unlike the unnaturally made bindle.