When the sun reached its highest point in the sky, Anik steered his horse away form the road and in between the golden wheat in direction of the hedgerows. “We need to get off the road,” he said. “The first places guards search are along the roads.”

Ren was almost relieved to leave the busy road behind in favour of the narrow riding trails that lined fields and creeks. He followed Anik, who seemed to have no problem figuring out which direction to go. Anik didn't speak to him, except to give him directions in a clipped tone of voice. He sighed at Ren when he lagged behind and snapped whenever Ren questioned his chosen path. Ren tried to tell himself he shouldn't expect any kind of compassion or even civility from a Lowlander, but it made him long more than anything for the pleasant company of the soft and friendly castle slaves. At least now, he knew why Frayneans never bought Lowlander slaves. It was beyond him why Skarlan would ever choose to cultivate them. Then again, little of what Skarlans did ever made sense to Ren. Maybe they enjoyed getting regularly insulted. That thought, at least, brought a smile of amusement to Ren's face.

* * *

It was twilight once more before they stopped to rest. Anik slowed down his mare and pointed to a sheltered spot by the river, a patch of grass hidden from sight by large bushes. Ren brought his horse to a stop and swung out of the saddle. When his feet hit the ground, his legs buckled, sharp bolts of pain shooting through his muscles and he groaned, clinging to the saddle with both hands.

“Not used to riding, are you?” Anik commented as he passed by Ren, a smug smile on his face. Ren ignored him.

Carefully, Ren straightened his aching legs. His muscles were sore and the skin on the insides of his thighs felt rubbed raw from the saddle. He found himself grateful that Stag's Run was less than a week's ride away.

Without saying a word to Ren, Anik wandered off to gather firewood and Ren made himself busy unloading his bags from his horse and refilling the water skins. It wasn't easy to ignore the ache in his muscles, and it made his walk awkwardly stiff.

Ren was surprised how much work was involved in setting up camp. Preparing a place to sleep, building a fire, making food…they were all things he was used to letting other people handle. It took Ren twice as long as it should have to clear a spot for a fire, and after that, Anik stopped asking him to do stuff, which suited Ren just fine. He was happy to simply sit and rest his legs while Anik handled the rest.