‘All was calm by sunrise,’ explained Ulafe, the wrinkles on his forehead deepening with each word. ‘Jesserlie cast a spell, and the inmates were back in their cells. No doubt made to clean the place today before being punished.’
Raven took his eyes off Wynter. ‘And us?’
‘They’ve been searching for you all night. When Jilk returns, we will know more. But all being well, you should be able to leave tomorrow as soon as the sun goes down.’
‘Cary and Trinn wanted to come,’ Elbar told Bear. ‘But I told them the fewer of us, the better.’
Scarlen didn’t mean to scoff, it just slipped out as she went to sip her tea. ‘I didn’t even know you were that close to the Rebels.’
Raven leaned closer. ‘Just so you know, we don’t call ourselves that unless we’re being sarcastic.’
She glanced at Bear. ‘Sorry. It’s not my intention to insult you.’
‘It’s all right.’ Bear’s attention was on Raven. ‘Everyone calls us that name.’
Wynter gave Raven a small nudge, then Raven went back to eating.
Scarlen always felt as if she were on the outside looking in when it came to Bear and his family, but she was new to their mix so believed it was normal for her to feel she was missing something. It was best if she didn’t broach the subject. As far as she was concerned, she was going to their home soon. She just hoped she would be accepted.
Clearing her throat, she said, ‘There’s a lot of animosity towards southerners in the north. Will I be welcome?’
Bear looked to Raven first, then to Scarlen. ‘Do you want to come with us? I want you to know I can take you to your home if you know you’ll be safe there.’
Safe?How was she to know what her father would do next? He could be unpredictable, and she was quite sure he was insane.
‘Scars?’ he encouraged.
She had to give him some form of honesty. ‘I’m not sure where I’d be safe.’
Bear’s eyebrows knitted at once. ‘You’d be safe with me.’
‘But your people …’ What else could she add that they didn’t already know about the growing divide?
He leaned closer, placing her hand on his lap. ‘If you want to be with me, I promise I’ll keep you safe.’
‘I want to be with you,’ she said quietly, but everyone was listening, looking intrigued at most.
‘You sure?’
‘Yes,’ she replied, conviction in her heart.
28
As soon as Ulafe’s brother returned the next day with a safe route to Bear’s home, Elbar had them back in the wagon, her magick at the reins, moving the horses faster, though they looked to be trotting normally to anyone wandering in the woodland late at night.
Enchanted by witch magick, the dark beasts knew the trail all the way to the north, crossing the border in an unpatrolled spot, heading further towards the mountains, the passengers in the wagon feeling only a smooth, slow journey, but still they remained awake, on full alert in case of any attack.
Scarlen could feel the air growing colder the further they travelled. The thick black coat that had been provided for her at Ulafe’s helped protect her from the elements, and Bear’s arm securely around her added warmth to the layers. And when Bear peered outside the canvas, she saw white sheets of snow covering the ground and light flurries floating down. Her first time seeing such weather, and what a marvel it was.
‘We’re at Hedben,’ Bear told the others, letting go of the canvas so it flopped back into place as their door.
‘It’s the village before Zharros, our home,’ Wynter informed Scarlen.
Scarlen huddled closer to Bear, her steady heart awake and worried once more. ‘Won’t guards be waiting for us? They know where you live, right?’
‘They would have to battle to get through,’ said Raven. ‘They’re not ready for war with us yet, but they will come once they have taken the whole of Borough Mids.’
‘And bythey, you mean the king.’ Part of Scarlen wanted to roll her eyes, but Horstal had taught her the northerners’ thoughts on the matter, so she had to accept they truly believed the king was their enemy. It was a blessing her father had hidden her from the kingdom, else she was sure not even Bear would be able to protect her now.
