I was so busy editing, that I just didn’t get around to pulling the holiday wreath on my door! Oh, wow! I’ll go get it right now. (I literally just got up from writing this email, pulled the wreath out of my basement and switched out the summer butterfly on my front door.) Boom. Decorating done.
From Guardians of the Horsemen, Book 2 Chapter 1
Kalleck followed the tracks of their horses, easily visible along the trail leading higher into the mountains. Through the long summer evening, he rode on, gaining altitude steadily as he went, until the sun sank toward the west. Coming up over the crest of a ridge, he saw a column of smoke, harsh and black against the evening sky.
Checking his weapons, Kalleck rode nearer.
The burning remains of a small homestead came into view. What had once been a snug cottage was now an inferno, flames leaping high into the evening sky. From his position, no one was visible. Keeping under the cover of the trees, Kalleck made a circle around the place.
On the hill north of the burning house, tracks were plain in the soft earth. Dismounting, Kalleck knelt to examine the ground closely. The imprints of many heavy boots were visible, as well as the hoofprints of several horses. Whoever had started the fire had only recently left this place. It hadn’t been one person alone.