Ren stopped in his tracks, brow furrowing. Ira, Lyle, the driver. “Why haven't they left?”

Jayce shook his head. “They always stay for a few days, and apparently, no one seemed to realize that sending them away before the fort engaged in battle would be a good idea.”

Ren groaned, rubbing a hand over his eyes. “We can't send them out there now and risk them running straight into the Skarlans.”

“We can keep them safe inside the fort.”

Ren nodded. “Do that. And Jayce?” he added.

Jayce stopped and turned halfway back towards Ren. “Yes, my lord?”

“Leave two guards with Niklas,” Ren said, holding back a sigh. It pained him to lose active soldiers, but he couldn't risk Niklas trying to hurt someone else. Especially not Anik.

As Jayce left to carry out his orders, Ren went back to the cells.

“Took you a while.” Anik was leaning against the edge of the stone wall. His posture was more relaxed, although a hint of discomfort still lingered in the way he held himself.

“I got held up,” Ren said, sliding the key into the lock. The gate swung open with a creak. “The Skarlan force is five hours away.” He paused, hesitated, then blew out a breath. “Look, I made you a promise.” He stopped Anik with a hand on his shoulder. “If you want to leave right now, I won't hold it against you. I owe you that. I just need your advice, anything you can tell me about-”

“Did you honestly think I'd just wander off when there's Skarlan ass to kick?” Anik gave Ren a long, searching look before reaching up and closing his hand around Ren's wrist. The touch was firm, even comforting.

Ren smiled and they let go of each other. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

“How many?” Anik asked.

“A hundred and ten,” Ren said, leading the way back up into the courtyard. The snow had stopped falling, but it covered the ground like a white blanket.

“That's not an army. More like a company,” Anik noted. “They're not expecting much resistance. That's our luck.” He glanced briefly at the thin layer of snow at their feet, the sight seeming to surprise him. It made Ren wonder if he had ever even seen snow before.

“Problem is, we aren't much of a resistance,” Ren admitted, regaining Anik's attention.

Anik stopped in the middle of the courtyard and looked around. Ren realised this was the first time Anik had seen the condition of the fort. “Talk to me,” Anik said.

“We have under thirty soldiers, and even fewer swords. The fort is strong, but not impregnable, and we can't hold it with so few men.” He let Anik up the stairs to the ramparts.

“We have the advantage of the slope,” Anik noted, taking careful steps to avoid slipping on the steps. “How deep is the moat?”