Ira nodded. “It's not something we normally do, but our timing was a bit off this time. By the time the sun went down, we had already reached the edge of the forest and we thought it'd be best not to camp here. Being on the move is safer. You three are either very brave or very stupid to have tried staying the night,” she said, offering Ren and Niklas a small smile.

“See? I told you there was good reason to be on guard,” Niklas murmured.

“We didn't really have much of an option,” Ren said. He glanced to the side at the two men, both of them now engaged in conversation with Anik. “And those two?”

“Hmm?” Ira followed his eyes. “Oh, they're travellers, I think. They wanted to hitch a ride, just like you three.”

“They're Lowlanders.”

Ira shrugged. “Yes, but they seem nice enough. They even wanted to pay, but we never take payment for extra passengers.”

“What are Lowlanders doing this far north, though?” Niklas asked. “There are no more villages beyond the forest.”

“Looking for work, I suppose. Stag's Run is always looking for extra hands,” Ira said.

“Look,” Lyle said, drawing a small dagger from a sheath in his belt. It had a simple, leather wrapped hilt and a single edge. “My father gave me this.”

“That's a mighty fine sword,” Niklas said, making the boy giggle.

Turning slightly, Ren rested his side against the corner of the wagon. A cloud passed in front of the moon, casting the forest into darkness made even more apparent by the light of the torches.

Closing his eyes, he thought about Hellic, how proud he had looked in his brand new armour with the engraved antlers curling upwards on the breastplate, how happy he had been the morning of his birthday at the prospect of a thrilling boar hunt. The kill had been Ren's for the taking, but he had wanted Hellic to have it, just to see the joy on his face. He would have done anything for his brother. Hellic was supposed to be the king Frayne deserved.

Ren smiled to himself at the memory of their late lunches under the apple trees in the garden. Hellic had been so worried about his future marriage. Ren had told him he could refuse if he wanted to. But Hellic knew, because his father had told him, that marriages between powerful families were assets to a kingdom, and Hellic wanted nothing more than to do what was best for Frayne. They had laughed so much that day, eating apples right off the tree. Hellic had teased Ren about the young Lady Arrika with the chestnut curls that Ren had been eyeing all summer.

“There's nothing between us. It was just a flirt,” Ren had assured him. “She's leaving for the Eastern Islands in a few days, after all.”