The corners of Blackmane’s mouth lifted at the visual. She would be living her best life with no one around to tell her no. ‘What about her family?’

‘They’ll be joining her soon. The tricky part is getting through without Hodge noticing. There are fears he’ll try to intercept them.’

‘Valid fears, no doubt.’

‘He might be staying out of the wastelands, but he isn’t giving up on her. Our sources tell us he has men placed all along the border, waiting for them to emerge from hiding.’

Of course he did. He would not miss an opportunity like that. ‘Probably better they stay where they are for now.’

‘Isabel’s concerned he’ll widen his search. Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do about that.’

Blackmane shifted his weight. ‘I guess that’s what you meant by physically fine. Mentally, not so great.’

Tolly studied him intently. ‘She asked about you. Wanted to know if I’d heard from you.’

He had thought about writing to Tolly but had struggled with what to say. ‘Well, if she asks again, you can tell her I’m fine.’

‘And are you?’

Blackmane swallowed. ‘Yes.’

His brother sighed. ‘For the record, I liked her for you.’

Blackmane had liked her for himself too. ‘She can do a lot better than a hardened defender.’

‘That’s not what she sees. She sees a loyal, protective man who will go to extraordinary lengths for the people he loves.’ He looked out to sea. ‘Even forcing them onto a ship in the hope of saving their life.’

‘An act you hated me for.’

He nodded in agreement. ‘As a child, I did. But as a man…’

Blackmane’s throat began to burn. ‘I should have gotten on that ship with you.’

‘You really should have. But instead, you stayed to care for the dying, knowing every second spent in their company meant a higher chance of you contracting the pox.’ His eyes returned to Blackmane. ‘I think that makes you a catch.’ He stepped back from the wall. ‘She gets it. She’s not bitter about your leaving. Your life’s here. Your friends are here.’ He gestured towards the barracks. ‘That terrifying warden is here.’

Blackmane nodded. ‘He’s a tough man to leave behind.’

The corners of Tolly’s mouth lifted, and then he looked over his shoulder. ‘I have to go. Thorn’s waiting for me at the stables. I didn’t want to go without seeing you.’ He looked back at Blackmane. ‘Don’t be a stranger. I know I’m not much of a draw, but no one will shoot you if you want to come visit sometime.’

When his brother went to leave, Blackmane said, ‘You’re wrong. You’re enough of a draw.’

Tolly wet his lips and glanced out to sea a final time. ‘Take care of yourself, brother.’

A nod. ‘You too.’