MasukThe ride back to Winter’s Edge felt different this time. The heavy iron seal sat cold against my finger, but inside my chest, something had finally settled. For years, I thought my father had died for nothing—just another broken man crushed by an Alpha’s greed. Knowing he spent his whole life building a shield for me made the freezing wind on the mountain path feel a little less bitter.By the time Lars and I reached the high gates of the spire, the sun was sinking behind the peaks, painting the snow in long strokes of purple and dark red. The citadel was buzzing. The annual Solstice Feast was only three days away, and the lower courtyard was packed tight with supply wagons, wood-haulers, and regional trade carts. Men were shouting, horses were stomping in the slush, and the smell of roasting meat and fresh pine pine needles hung thick in the air.I slid down from my mare, handing the reins to a young stable boy. Before I could even shake the snow off my cloak, a pair of heavy leathe
The rain had turned back into dry mountain snow by the time we left the Valley Pack village.I rode beside Lars and my twenty vanguard guards, heading north toward the high ridges of the High Northern Reaches. Valerius and the main army were already down at the river border, setting up camps to block Duke Vane's mercenaries. But before I joined them at the front lines, I needed to visit the place my father had spent his whole life keeping secret from me.Our horses struggled up the steep, forgotten trail. The trees here were huge, black pines with thick branches heavy with white frost. Nobody lived in these high peaks anymore. Fifty years ago, during the Border Wars, the old houses of the North were burned, and the clan families were scattered to the winds.By midday, we reached a wide stone gap in the mountain wall."This is as far as the horses can go, my Queen," Lars said, swinging down from his saddle and looking up at the snowy cliffs. "The path ahead is blocked by old rocks and
TRISTAIN'S POVThe coastal rain turned the dirt highway into a thick river of yellow mud, churning under the weight of passing trade wagons. I pulled my torn canvas cloak tighter around my chest, bowing my head against the freezing spray. My boots were split open at the seams, soaked through with icy sludge that had long since numbed my toes. Every step brought a dull, sharp ache to my ribs—the lingering reminder of the tavern guards in Oakhaven who had thrown me into the gutter after I couldn't pay for my ale.Five months ago, I was wearing silk-lined wool, drinking spiced wine from heavy silver goblets, and kicking scrap bowls across the cellar floor for amusement. I was the heir to Moonlake Crest, carrying a name that made local commoners bow their heads in the dirt. Now, those same commoners rode past me on grain wagons, splashing mud over my bare ankles without a second glance.I slowed my pace near a weathered wooden mile-marker, leaning my weight against the rotting post to ca
The black iron horseshoes of our fifty riders pounded against the stone road, tearing through the cold morning mist as we left the coastal province behind.We didn't ride through the main trade gates of Oakhaven. Instead, Commander Kael led our column through an old, overgrown logging trail that cut straight through the eastern hills. By skipping the main highway, we avoided Duke Vane’s road patrols and saved half a day of travel.I rode my grey mare right beside Valerius’s heavy black stallion. The damp coastal air was already behind us, replaced by the sharp, crisp wind blowing off the northern peaks.Vane thinks we are still sitting in his embassy, waiting for the morning council, I thought, pulling my dark wool cloak tighter around my shoulders. He has no idea his messenger is locked in our cellar, and his cipher letter is in my pocket.By late afternoon, our column reached the high ridge line overlooking the Valley Pack border.Below us, the quiet river basin spread out under a g
We spent the night at the northern embassy on the edge of Oakhaven. It was a high stone building surrounded by iron fences, guarded around the clock by Commander Kael’s fifty vanguard riders.I sat at a wooden table in the main room, polishing the bone knife I had used during the hunt in the mountains. The quiet scrape of the stone against the blade was the only sound in the dark room.Valerius walked in, his heavy boots making no noise as he moved across the rug. He set a bowl of cold fruit on the table next to my arm."You should sleep," Valerius said, his deep voice breaking the quiet. "We ride back north at first light.""I can't sleep in this city," I replied, setting the sharpening stone down. "It's too quiet. In Winter's Edge, you hear the wind and the guards on the wall. Here, people hide behind silk curtains."Before Valerius could answer, the heavy front door opened. Commander Kael stepped into the room, his black iron armor wet from the sea mist outside. He held a small lea
The morning sun rose over Oakhaven bay, throwing a bright glare across the glass windows of the Sea Palace. The high council hall was packed full. Every coastal lord, southern Alpha, and merchant chief had returned to their seats around the long marble table. The air was tense, and nobody was smiling.Duke Vane stood at the head of the room, wearing his fine blue coat. He looked rested, but his small eyes were cold as he watched us walk in.Valerius and I took our places at the end of the table. Commander Kael stood right behind my chair, his hand resting on his sword hilt."Yesterday, we heard serious claims," Duke Vane started, his voice loud enough for the whole room to hear. "The girl from the North brought old papers to confuse us. But this council runs on law, not old stories."He slapped a thick parchment onto the table."The Treaty of the Four Borders says that if any realm stops trading iron for more than thirty days, the other realms can put a full trade blockade on them,"







