When the first ray of dawn pierced through a gap between the strange rocks and trees and struck his eyes, Feld finally realized he would never catch up with Dominic.
The courage that had sent him charging out on impulse cooled in the night faster than hot soup spilled onto snow. After repeatedly coming within a hair's breadth of broken bones or a fatal fall, he had no choice but to slow down.
Perhaps only someone completely out of their mind would dare gallop at full speed along a mountain road in the dead of night.
The hoofprints sunk deep into the mud ahead remained clear, guiding him onward. They proved the horse had maintained an unbelievable speed, barely slowing even at sharp bends, as if it had traveled this route countless times and knew it by heart.
If there was anything worse than a madman, it was a madman who could still behave normally.
He had to be grateful he'd taken Dominic's sword beforehand. Otherwise, he'd now be facing an armed madman.
Since both of them had only ever used weapons in training, he wasn't confident he could win.
Even against an unarmed Dominic, he had no idea how to restrain him effectively. Add the requirement not to hurt him too badly, and it became even more difficult. The odds were low enough to be almost despairing.
But turning back was never an option.
Putting aside their years of friendship, he had gone absent without leave and lost a companion. He had no idea how he could face his fellow knights and superiors after that. It would practically bring shame upon the Academy he attended and the mentor who had recommended him for his post.
To spend the rest of his life mired in guilt and enduring other people's