The fire crackled softly, quivering with the slightest lick of winter air. It felt as weak as the link between the team, somehow. A slight uneven flicker and the flame could disappear. It wasn't enough to accommodate four perfectly healthy people, let alone three cripples, one nearing death and the ghost of a certain teenager who had been braver than the rest when it mattered.

They had all been injured. Nora had a wide slash on her calve, Salo a burn on the center of his back and Arden multiple slits across his chest, all of which were still gushing out crimson blood. And Ailyn. Ailyn was a lost case. She couldn't see it, and nobody had the courage to tell her yet. Her chest was black. It was like a tree spreading its roots across the soil, reaching deep and far. Although her eyes had fluttered closed some hours ago, the shadow kept spreading, slow and ominous. It would take some days to infect her arms, too. There would be no hiding it then.

Nora's gaze lingered on the ice. It was visible even from miles away, almost at the other side of the vast lake. Not that it tried to be conspicuous; it stood high and proud, a constant taunt to Seyal and now Musha, too. The girl had still to utter a word about Ela, half surprised and half frustrated. She could have come to the other side before raising the wall. She could have warned us beforehand. She could have--

Arden's hammering footsteps interrupted Nora's internal curses. He dragged a small unmoving rabbit by its legs and rested it next to the fire. "That's all we've got."

Nora looked at him in disbelief. His shirt was off and wrapped around his abdomen to stop the constant bleeding, but it was already drenched. The girl couldn't deny his days at the military academy seemed to pay off. She tried to focus her gaze on his eyes. "Was your head hit, too? What makes you think we can cook a whole rabbit on this spark?"

"Hope. If we lose that too, what else is left?"

Salo let out a dry laugh. "I didn't think I'd live to see the day you talked about faith unironically," he muttered, glancing down at Ailyn. Her chest was still moving, but her breaths seemed shallow, forced. "What are we supposed to do now?"

"Find thisKrastelov fellow," Arden said, raising his brows. "If you think I'm giving up after a kid sacrificed her freedom for us you're dead wrong."

"Wasn't that peculiar?" Nora sighed, poking the rabbit with her foot. It didn't seem very energetic. "I feel ashamed. We need to return the favour."

Arden shifted his weight, leaning forward to look at the two through hooded sockets. "You know what else is peculiar? The way Kage looked at you two."

Nora tensed. It was obvious Salo did too.

The girl laughed. "Yeah, maybe it's because I was detained in his country for a whole while?"

"What about him?"

Salo didn't even try to answer. He simply raised his shoulders in an indifferent shrug, his eyes glued to the flame.

Arden pursed his lips. His patience was ticking off. "We need to be honest for this to work. I haven't torn her Highness's eyes out of their sockets because she's already in the brink of death, but a long conversation awaits her when she wakes up, don't you worry." He turned to Nora, putting on his best sympathetic look. It wasn't very convincing. "Now, tell me what happened."

So she told him. About the prince's appearance, about the lie she blurted out about Salo and the subsequent amused look Kage shot him when he spoke fluent Seyali. And finally, about the offer. Arden's eyes seemed to light up at the mention of the pardons, but they quickly thinned to two thin slits once he took everything in.

"Doesn't it seem slightly absurd to you that the one person we don't want knowing about us shows up in your room and you don't say a word?"

Nora dropped her head to her feet, examining the rabbit which was now placidly rolling above the flame on its stick. It was absurd. What else could she say but that? She stole a glance at Arden, who was studying the sinking sun through narrowed lids. Her lips parted, searching for the right words to explain herself, but another sentence left her mouth before an apology could.

"What makes you think I need your permission for everything I do?"

His head jerked towards her shrunk frame and the glare he shot her blazed fiercer than the flame dancing before them. It rose taller with the wind as fuel, a close analogy to the tension between the two fuming figures. "You knew this would happen. The man carries chaos with him anywhere he steps."

"Maybe I just wanted to deal with it my way," she retorted, her fists clenching into tight balls of white hot rage. If she had any idea that turmoil would ensue she would have spoken up. The prince made it seem like it was a choice between pardon and no pardon, that if they didn't deliver the girls in the border they would be placed on the wanted list. Nobody ever said anything about a massacre.

He choked back a laugh, yet the humour quickly fled his eyes. "Look where your way got us."

"What do you want me to do? I can't fix this, not anymore!"

"You could apologize."

"I won't apologize for something I'm not responsible for. Ela started the fight, but she's not getting a scolding now, is she?" The moment the words left her lips, she regretted ever speaking them. She snapped her mouth shut, but it was too late.

Arden rarely raised his voice. Not that he was never angry; he often hissed insults and his glower was more than enough to shut everyone up. But Nora had never heard him straight up shout. She considered herself fortunate to witness the rare sight.

His eyes widened, jaw leaving its hinges as he leaned forward dangerously fast. Nora tried to scoot away from the seething figure but his hand quickly seized her wrist, yanking her forward until the tip of her nose was mere inches away from his. "Ela saved us!" he yelled, driving her hand to point at the giant wall of ice towering over the dilapidated factory. "If it weren't for her, we would all be sitting in a prison cell. You are the one who must apologize, not her."

Nora twisted her head to stare back at him. She felt anger well up in her eyes in the form of crystal drops, but she refused to let them run down her face. "I'm sorry my pathetic self doesn't live up to your expectations," she hissed, tearing her hand out of his grip and stomping towards the makeshift tent they had set up with branches and logs. She heard Salo calling after her, but Arden kept his mouth shut as she slipped into the shade the chunks they had propped up against a thick trunk cast on the snow.

It was clear she was in the wrong; she knew that much. But she couldn't be blamed for the ambush nor the injuries, and if Arden wanted to chastise her for her choice, Salo must have taken responsibility too. He didn't speak up. He didn't even confess. Nora pinched her nose, sealing her eyes shut. It was easy to blame everyone but herself. But sometimes there wasn't someone she could point a finger at and put the blame on for everything that went wrong. It was an accumulation of events and maybe even fate that was at fault. Kage would find them one way or another.

Her stomach growled in protest, twisting and cramping as she remained stubbornly on the warm coat she had spread on the soil. They hadn't eaten since morning, and the only liquid she had consumed in hours was her own saliva and occasional hints of blood when she was fighting in the factory. She chose to ignore it. Another bad decision, but she promised herself she would wipe out the leftovers and gobble down the whole lake when everyone had fallen asleep.

The static whispering that had lulled her before ceased. Her head was already fuzzy, striving to drop her into oblivion, but at the sound of heavy steps trudging through the snow her eyes cracked open. She peeked behind her shoulder. A leather surface came into view and it was too late when she realized it was a boot. She shifted back to her side, silently cursing as the shuffling of the white fluff became louder. Her back was suddenly warmed, the shiver trailing over it melting into comfortable heat. A sigh was enough to identify the figure lying next to her.

"Go away," she said, trying to appear nonchalant. The words came out lower than she had planned.

He didn't even move. "Forget it."

"I can't when you're taking up all my space."

"But a passed out princess wouldn't?"

His taunts tempted her to turn around, but she stood her ground firmly. What does he want? "Are you here to apologize?"

"No."

"Then you are dismissed."

He hummed, and a second late Nora felt her raven hair coiling around his finger as he twisted and tugged it. She swallowed a laugh. "What in the world are you doing now?"

"Have you ever considered curling your hair? Everyone has straight hair nowadays. You should try changing it."

"Will you braid it as well?" she asked drily.

"I could. We have all night ahead of us."

She groaned, burying her face in the fabric underneath her as blood started rushing to her cheeks. As enticing as having her hair done by a notorious gang leader sounded, being in a narrow space with him for a whole night sounded awkward. In the Flouornan dorms, boys and girls only saw each other for dinner and some special training sessions. They weren't allowed to interact with each other outside of practice, let alone sleep in the same bed. Nora started becoming more aware of how close they were, how his shoulder dug into her nape and how his arm was pressed across her back. This is wrong, she thought, yet Arden's presence was too comforting to let go.

Nora sighed, tilting her head towards him. "Listen," she trailed off, but the words stuck to her throat as she caught sight of his exposed biceps. "Gods! Are you still naked?" she shrilled, scooting to the other direction. Her waist quickly found the tree.

"Half naked," he corrected, slightly pulling her arm. "Come on. Don't you like my company?"

She had no choice but to throw her face back into the wool coat. There wasn't much of that action in the Flouornan camps, but her friends often sneaked in books and she dared peek in them one or two times. The things she read had definitely scarred her memory and apparently her innocence as she lay next to the shirtless man, face burning with embarrassment. She didn't know if she was over-informed or if Arden really didn't know much about how women felt.

"What... Are you smothering yourself?"

"I'm trying to sleep," she muttered with a little too much breath in her tone.

He tugged her arm once again. "With an empty stomach?"

"I'm not hungry."

Her stomach exclaimed with a traitorous rumble at the thought of food. "Okay, maybe a little hungry. I'll eat in the morning."

Silence. Then, a shift in the snow. Nora didn't know what was happening until she felt a breath fan the back of her neck. She contained a yelp of horror as she pressed her body against the tree, laughing nervously. "Are we spooning now?"

After a moment of quiet breathing, Arden released a long sigh. "You should have taken the pardon," Arden blurted out in a low whisper. Nora almost exhaled in relief. He wasn't trying to be promiscuous, he just didn't want Salo to hear.

This time she twisted around to face him. There really wasn't much space in the makeshift tent, barely room for two. Or one and a half, perhaps. The girl tried to keep her face a little over his so no accident happened. "Why would you say that?" she quizzed, examining his eyes. The sarcasm had left his gaze. "How could I betray the girls?"

"We would find a way around it," he whispered. He seemed to regret her decision more than she did. "Things will not be easy from now on, Nora. We're wanted. In three countries. Maybe handing the Ascended over would have stopped that."

"Don't be so naïve. The moment I stepped on Seyali soil, their army would kill me." She inspected the logs, not wanting to make whatever she said overly intimate. "Besides, it wouldn't mean leaving just the girls behind. It would mean leaving you behind. Me and Salo would never make it by ourselves."

She could see him form a lopsided smile with the corner of her eye. "Does that mean you care about me, a pitiful Fryan?"

"Are you deaf?" she snapped, thrusting her weight around and facing the tree once more. "You're just resourceful. That's what I care about. Don't flatter yourself." But when she heard him chuckle, she couldn't fight the smile that found its way to her curved lips.

The rest of the night was spent with quiet breathing, occasional jokes and snickers. Nora's lids soon started nearing together, but she almost didn't want to fall asleep. It was rare for Arden to be likeable, as mean as that sounded in her head. He usually wouldn't speak to her or try to console her, and certainly not get so close. The feeling of warmth on her back and the rhythmic exhales aerating her neck were a soft lullaby to her senses, numbing any thoughts that threatened to ruin the moment. A moment she didn't want to end.

The events of the day that had previously rushed through her mind suddenly halted, allowing her eyes to blur and every concern that had previously tormented her to melt into a dark cloud, hovering over her head, letting her eyes flutter shut and her consciousness to slip away from her grasp.

༺──────────────༻

As if delighted with Ela's absence, the clouds had parted the next day. They finally allowed the sun to flaunt its rays boastfully, dropping them on the crippled crew wandering around the town. This is no town, Nora reminded herself. It's a city. A stuffed one, too.

Korin was right. The winter festival was far from over. Hundreds of sweaty bodies bounced against each other, rushing to stalls with trinkets, maps, festive clothing, bidding their pockets on rare metals, eating away any ginger loaf or local delicacy tossed their way. Wide garlands sewn with leaves decorated the edge of every building they passed by, and some locals even offered to throw some over their head. Nora had thought the market out of town was festive; the center of Karahi sought to change her mind.

Ailyn had shuddered awake earlier that morning. She had to share the rabbit with Nora, although the spy ended up gobbling down most of the princess's part, too. She wasn't hungry, but the first thing she croaked once her eyes fluttered open was 'Water.' There was plenty, but it was unfiltered. She didn't seem to care. Her eyes didn't reach her swollen chest, either. Nora sighed a breath of relief at the absence of screams when she woke up, clustered between Arden's side and the bark of the wet tree.

Now, the princess's legs seemed to move with more ease. Salo had offered to help her, but she probably decided one entire night of unconscious cuddling had been enough touching for the whole month.

"Hey," Arden said, turning back to glance at the rest. "That one seems quite knowledgeable." And with an indicative nod towards a Mushan stallkeeper slumped against the wooden bench of his stand, he marched towards the shop.

"Excuse me. Where can I find Bela Krastelov?" asked Arden in Mushan.

The stallkeeper's head shot up, an amused smile curving his previously drooling mouth. He barked a laugh, scrutinizing the Fryan through glimmering slits. "The old hag? What business do you have with a witch?"

"None of your business, so you needn't worry." He tapped a golden coin on the stall, raising a brow at the plump man. Nora couldn't contain a grimace. One of their last coins. The rest had stayed behind, in the cabins.

The man shook his head, pushing the yellow piece back into Arden's hand. "I shouldn't be paid for sending someone to his doom. The crone has a herbal shop down the street, but she's only open every three days. You'll find her hut up that hill," he noted, pointing a chubby finger at a house towering over the rest of the market. Nora wouldn't call it a hut. It looked more like an old manor.

Arden thanked the man and beckoned to the others, rushing through the crowd. Nora was eager too, but she could hardly keep up with him. She reluctantly grabbed Ailyn's arm, dragging her across the paved road. Many turned to throw them curious looks, while some others pointed at them with narrowed eyes, nudging their friends to watch as well. It was enough of a risk to have Ailyn's face uncovered in public, even with her head held down. Now people were noticing them, too.

The team made it to the house with no one stopping them, but many looked compelled to do so. Arden took a deep breath and thumped his fist on the door, the sound echoing throughout the holding as if ghosts were carrying it. Nora braced her forearms, trying to expel the shiver that overwhelmed her skin, but no amount of warmth could shake off the foreboding the pale grey walls created. She didn't believe in phantoms. But sometimes, when she was alone, she could feel them graze her skin, whisper to her. The atmosphere in the hill was dense, like in cemeteries, and she feared the taunting voices would return to haunt her senses.

Nora had heard about the woman. Ailyn had mentioned who she was, but it seemed she was holding something back. When the door cracked open, her hesitation was explained.

The opening was slim, but Nora could still see wrinkled fingers holding it open. "Who are you?" a deep voice cawed.

"A man named Korin--"

The door slammed shut with a dramatic screech.

Arden looked behind his shoulder with a sigh. What now? his eyes quizzed, but before Nora could collapse against the door and beg for some help, maybe mention they were injured and recently homeless, Ailyn cleared her throat, gluing her eyes shut as she gulped down what appeared to be rage. "Mrs. Sillich, please--"

The entrance reluctantly opened once more. "That is no name of mine," the voice spoke again, but now it appeared frailer, maybe even bitter. The door was pushed open, and it was Nora's turn to gasp.

The woman that stood before them was no hag. She may have been old, but her cheekbones kept their height, her amber hair kept their brilliance. She bore no resemblance to the prince, except for her eyes; piercing golden orbs that shone in the darkness, narrowed to yellow chips as she examined the four one by one.  Once they landed on Ailyn, her brow twitched and a grin found its way to her creased lips. "Who would have thought sunshine girl would seek me after all those years."

Ailyn raised her chin, fixing her posture to seem taller. Still, it was clear as day she was slowly withering. "You owe me," she stated, struggling to make her tone demanding. "It is time to even the score."

"What, you'll kill me?" Bela laughed, holding the door with one hand and her stomach with the other. "Spare me the threats, girl. Death and I are on better terms than you may think."

"What you will do is prevent another bloodbath. Sorry, but your friend is not getting his feast soon."

The woman stepped aside, beckoning the team inside. To Nora, it felt like entering the den of a criminal. "You nerve intrigues me, I must confess. Tell me, how is my dear son doing?"

***

Thank you for 900! We're almost at 1k. I'm literally so grateful.

I hope anyone who is reading is enjoying the story so far. Just FYI, this is more than half finished. I'm at 60% of my word goal :D

Thank you for reading! Please consider voting and commenting, it means so much to me ♥♥