As dawn broke and the sky lighted, Aidan surveyed the fort, saw the dozen or so warriors his father had left behind left behind to guard the place, a skeleton force. He had been pestering these men half the night to tell him where exactly his father had ridden. But none would tell. Aidan felt a fresh wave of determination to find out.

Sensing motion out of the corner of his eye, Aidan turned to see Vidar crossing the courtyard with several men, they extinguishing torches as they went and he assigning each their posts throughout the fort. Aidan burst into action, running down the spiral staircase, twisting down level after level, determined to corner Vidar until he had the answers he wanted.

Aidan hit the ground running as he reached the snowy courtyard. He ran, ice crunching beneath his boots in the frigid morning, breathing hard as he sprinted for Vidar, who headed for the gates.

“Vidar!” he cried.

Vidar turned and, when he saw it was Aidan, looked away, rolling his eyes, clearly wanting to avoid him. He began to walk away.

“I have no answers for you, young Aidan,” he called back as he walked away, he and his men marching for the gates, blowing on their hands to keep them warm.

But Aidan did not slow, running to catch up.

“I must know where my father is!” he shouted.

The men continued to march, and Aidan doubled his speed, slipping on the ice, until finally he reached Vidar’s side and tugged on his shirt.

“My father is gone, and that makes me commander of this fort!” Aidan insisted, knowing he was pushing his luck, but desperate.

Vidar stopped and laughed with his men.

“Does it?” he asked.

“Answer me!” Aidan pressed. “Where is he? I can help him! My sword is as strong as yours and my aim as true!”

Vidar laughed heartily, and as all the men joined him, Aidan reddened. He shook his head and clasped Aidan’s shoulder, his hand strong and reassuring.

“You are your father’s son,” he said, smiling, “yet even so, I cannot tell you where he went. I know that as soon as I do, you will venture after him—and that I cannot allow. You are under my watch now, and I answer to your father. You would only be a liability to him. Wait until you are older—there will be other battles to fight.”

Vidar turned to go, but Aidan grabbed his sleeve, insistent.

“There will be no battle like this!” Aidan insisted. “My father needs me. My brothers need me! And I will not stop until you tell me!” he insisted, stamping his foot.

Vidar looked back at him a bit more seriously, as if surprised he could be so determined. Finally, slowly, he shook his head.

“Then you shall be waiting a long time,” Vidar finally replied.