“It's all right. You're safe now,” Ren assured them, voice soft as he extended a hand. He helped the two of them to their feet and Ira covered Lyle's eyes as the driver dragged the body of the dead Lowlander off the wagon.

“They seemed like nice people. I had no idea… We wouldn't have…” Ira's voice shook.

“It wasn't your fault,” Ren said. Placing a hand on her shoulder, he gave it a squeeze. “Lowlanders are sly and deceptive.” He glanced to where Niklas was tying Anik's wrists together.

“You'd do well not to trust their kind again,” Niklas said over his shoulder. “Ren, help me lift him.”

Ren grabbed Lyle by the hips and helped him up onto the wagon, then returned to Niklas. “I owe you an apology,” he said quietly. Above them, the sky was lightening with the first hints of morning light. “I should have listened to you.”

Niklas shook his head. “Don't apologize. I'm just glad you're alive.”

Together, they carried Anik's limp body to the wagon. Lyle eyed the bound Lowlander nervously and inched closer to his sister.

It had been stupid of Ren to trust Anik. Maybe he had just been desperate to have someone on his side, someone to watch his back in a world where suddenly everyone seemed to be the enemy. But he had Niklas, now. He didn't need the Lowlander ex-slave. Ren's whole body ached and his head pounded when he climbed into the wagon and let Niklas wrap an arm around his shoulders.

* * *

Stag's Run came into view beyond the cliffs a few hours after dawn. Situated at the mouth of the narrow passage that led to the vast North, the stronghold protected one of Frayne's greatest resources. It was a magnificent sight, with mountaintops that reached into the clouds, casting the fort nestled between them in shadow. The building itself looked small in comparison, but it was an illusion. Stag's Run was an impressive fort with curving battlements, two watchtowers, and barracks large enough to house a thousand soldiers. A wide moat spanned the entire front of the fort, chiselled into the stony ground from one side of the passage to the other.

Pure relief flooded Ren as they approached. This was it. Lord Tyke would claim the throne of Aleria. Thais would be released. They could keep this disaster from getting any worse and Ren could return home. Halvard would get the punishment he deserved, and if that meant another war with Skarlan, then so be it. Frayne was strong, and its people wouldn't accept invasion lying down. Stag's Run was a prime example of that.

The wagon came to a stop in front of the moat. Ren looked up at the towers. No one called out at their arrival. It was dead silent.

“Hey,” the driver called out. “Grain delivery.”

A long moment passed before something happened. A man appeared in the tower, waved at them, and signalled for the gate to be opened.