Panic gripped Arabella. Her heart raced, her breath shortened. She saw the lone knight dash forward toward the attackers. She felt the carriage slow down and almost stop. Probably the coachman had the same thought as she. Run! Just run! She had to get out of here, and fast! With trembling hands, she yanked open the carriage door and jumped out. Her long wedding dress fluttered in the wind as she landed ungently on the ground. She scrambled to her feet and ran. Fear drove her on. Behind her she heard the neighing of horses and the clanking of weapons, but she kept running, on and on. She did not dare to look back. For whichever pursuer got hold of her meant the end of her freedom. Her dress got caught on branches, the heels of her shoes broke, she had to go on! Suddenly, as if from nowhere, a village emerged from the forest. She was safe. Gasping and out of breath, she slid to the ground by the nearest house wall. Her body shook uncontrollably. Nothing in her body seemed to obey her anymore. Instead, her thoughts raced. Free! She was free! Exhausted, she closed her eyes, only to tear them open a few minutes later when a shadow moved in front of her.

"On the run from your in-laws? Or the unloved groom?" In the backlight stood a man cloaked in typical mage attire. She forced a smile and nodded.

"Then I have something for you. For only a really insanely small price, you will become invisible to all eyes to your captors." He held a small vial under her nose, gleaming in the sunlight as if it were the answer to all her prayers. As if of its own accord, her hand reached for it. In exchange, she gave him her ring. She uncorked the fake one and smelled it. Shrugging her shoulders, she downed the brew in one go. Tasted awfully like goat!

"A wise decision, if you wish the antidote, feel free to seek me out." Arabella jerked her head up. Antidote?! What antidote... She felt slightly dizzy. Damn mage had probably given her a sleeping potion ....