"She has some debris in her leg. Wouldn't last a day on her own," Solomon said. He started walking for the woods. "Let's find a place to make camp, treat wounds, and ask questions to our new friend here. She has quite a bit to answer for."
Amalthea followed beside him. She replied, "I don't see what difference it makes. She tried to kill you. I mean, if you want to interrogate her, be my guest, but there's hardly any point in nursing her back to health when she's just going to be executed upon reaching the captial. Traitors don't live long, in my experience."

Rose listened to the two argue about her fate. In truth, she didn't care too much - the princess was right, she didn't deserve to live. But here she was, alive, and even if Solomon never removed the spike in her leg, he'd still given her far more than a murderer like her could ever hope to receive.

It was high time to stop being a burden.

"Wait," Rose gasped. "I can- I can remove the spike and heal my leg on my own. The soldiers will not be coming back, since they will have burned everything of value. We can set up camp here without fear of retribution. Please let me take care of the injury; that way, I can walk on my own and you do not have to carry me."

Amalthea rolled her eyes. "Sure, and let you run away. We should tie you up first."

Rose shook her head. "Do it after the healing. I need my hands for the procedure."