The slave boy struggled to keep up with Lin Feng.
Ten personal guards had been waiting up ahead.
"Mount up. Let's go."
Lin Feng swung onto her horse with an easy, graceful motion.
The slave boy was given an old horse, one that had seen better days. He mounted with crisp, nimble movements, like a seasoned rider who had spent years galloping across the plains. As soon as he settled into the saddle, he noticed Lin Feng looking at him. "Did I do something wrong?"
Lin Feng asked, "Are you skilled at riding and archery?"
The slave boy answered without leaving a single opening. Smiling, he said, "What Ten Crow could possibly be unskilled with bow and horse? As soon as we're old enough to walk and jump, we're already playing around on horseback." Before his family fell on hard times, he had been their pampered youngest son, so of course he had been well versed in riding and archery.
Lin Feng neither agreed nor disagreed.
She merely said, coolly, "Keep up."
Night patrol was her habit. Whether there was a war on or not, she felt restless if she didn't go out for a round. It also let her take on the task of keeping watch and patrolling, killing two birds with one stone. They had captured the valley during the day, so their lord had quickened the army's pace and settled them there before nightfall. The place was completely unfamiliar to Lin Feng, but the slave boy knew it well.
After all, he'd worked here for a month or so.
With Lin Feng's permission, the slave boy rode just half a horse-length behind her. They traveled in silence until he broke it himself. "Isn't this too few people for a night patrol?" If danger arose, they could all