~ DAVID ~
Stark rubbed his jaw and looked back in the direction of the Estate where Zara and Agatha would be traveling by now, though much slower than we were.
"I think you might be right," he said carefully. "There may be more risk in waiting than in hurrying forward at this point."
I nodded tightly.
"I will watch her for you," Stark said solemnly.
"You better."
We walked on for a long minute before he spoke again. "You know, I hadn't considered it earlier, but… it could be that this new guard Agatha gathered—the female fighters and spies… If you're truly concerned about the Defenders, perhaps Zara should appoint her new guard from among them?"
I frowned at him. It was an odd thought—but one that somehow suited Zara. "You really believe the women can match the men in the event of hand-to-hand combat?"
