"The mountain keeps them."
"Yes."
Targesh rose from his chair. He came around the table and stopped in front of her, close enough that she had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes.
"Your brother is still there," he said.
"I think so. Somewhere in that pass. I—" She pressed her palms flat against the table edge. The wood was solid. Real. "I have been grieving him for four years without knowing where he is. Without being able to stand anywhere and say goodbye. I need to go there."
"Thornfield Pass is two or three days' ride. The terrain is unstable. There are rockfalls. Snow that does not melt until late spring. Predators."
"I know."
"You cannot go alone."
"I know that too." She met his gaze. "I am asking you to take me."
The silence stretched. Outside, the fortress continued its rhythms—voices in the courtyard, the clang of metal from the smithy, the creak of the gate mechanism. Inside the council chamber, there was only breath and heartbeat and the weight of what she had just asked.
"When were you going to tell me?" Targesh's voice was quiet.
"I don't know. I kept thinking—" She stopped. Started again. "I told myself I would wait until I found something concrete. Evidence. A record that proved he was there. Then I could bring it to you and it would be a simple request for confirmation, not—" Her hands moved helplessly. "Not this."
"Not help."
"Yes."
His hand came up, palm settling against the side of her face. His thumb traced the line of her cheekbone.
"You have been carrying this alone since you arrived."
"I have been carrying it for four years."
"Alone," he repeated.
She did not answer. She did not need to.
Targesh exhaled through his nose, and she felt the warmth of it against her forehead. His other hand found her waist, anchoring her.
"I suspected you were hunting something," he said.
"I'm sorry—"
"Do not apologize." His voice went hard. "You came to me now. That is what matters."
Her eyes stung. She blinked hard, forced the tears back.
"Will you take me?" she asked. "To the pass?"
"Yes."
Relief hit her so suddenly her knees weakened. Targesh's hand tightened on her waist, steadying her.
"When?" she managed.
"Give me a few days. I need to arrange patrol coverage and provisions." His thumb moved against her cheek. "You will need warmer clothing. Proper boots. The high pass is not the valleys."
"I'll get whatever you tell me to get."
