It was snowing, large flakes drifting to the ground. They landed on his face and melted against the heat of his skin. Crossing the courtyard, Ren made for the cells, taking the two steps down onto a narrow walkway. The cells were shielded from the worst of the weather but were still far more exposed than the royal dungeons in Aleria. The cold made it worse. There was no heat, and at this time of the year, the iron bars were partly covered in a constant layer of frost.

Anik sat in the far corner of his cell, curled up tightly with his arms crossed over his bent head. At the sight of him, Ren stopped. The image of Anik small and bundled up was very much at odds with the image in Ren's head.

“Anik,” Ren whispered, wondering if it would startle him, but Anik raised his head slowly, as if he had heard Ren's approach. He looked wide awake, but his eyes were distant and glassy. His breath misted in the air in front of his face. “Tell me what happened in the woods,” Ren continued softly, stepping closer to the bars. They had been in this same situation barely more than a week ago, but this time, Ren wasn't afraid. He wondered if that was a mistake.

“Why should I?” Anik asked, staring at Ren blankly. His voice was rough.

Ren swallowed. “Because I think I've made a mistake. I think I listened to the wrong person.”

Anik laughed, a sound entirely devoid of humour. A bit of dried blood was smeared across his temple, making a lock of hair cling to his skin. “Listen to the genius,” he mocked, resting his cheek against his forearm. Ren didn't like the joyless smile on his face. Not even when he had been most angry at Ren had he looked like that.

“Anik, I'm sorry, all right? I made a mistake. A big mistake. I should have listened to you. I know you didn't start the attack in the woods and I know you didn't poison the drinks in Sifa's camp.” The realization struck him the moment he said it. Of course Anik hadn't done it. But Niklas… Niklas was Ren's best friend. To think that he might have done something so gruesome – no. Ren couldn't get sidetracked now. This was important.

Anik blinked, head cocked to one side, but said nothing, simply kept watching him.

“I need your help,” Ren admitted, rubbing his brow with one hand. “Fuck, Anik, I don't know what else you want me to say.”

Slowly, Anik stood, movements stiff as if the cold had gotten to his bones. When he approached the bars, Ren could see the hardness in his eyes. “You promised me my freedom. I told you I'd follow you to Stag's Run and then leave. You agreed. I should have known better than to trust your word.”