“My presence, as always, is indispensable.” Caldar’s nod was brusque before spurring his mount down the trail. Sorrell shrugged, ducked his head, and raced after Caldar.

Perdyn winced as the guard’s voice carried. Far enough, in fact, two more guards poked out at the ruckus. They meandered more with curiosity than alarm. Perdyn couldn’t she afford for them to get too inquisitive. She turned her horse returning the guards’ attention to her. Shrugging, her cloak slipped over one shoulder.

Perdyn frowned. Torches burned illuminating the makeshift gate barring the path. This would complicate things. “You didn’t mention the checkpoints.” Caldar had turned to glower at her as they slowed their horses.

“Yes.” Perdyn said. Her voice softening as she grabbed Sorrel’s arm shoving him away from Calder. Wise choice.

Perdyn stepped slightly in front of him, not obscuring his view of the youth. “Technically, we’ve met before. He was at my naming.” Sorrel raised one shoulder, a spitting reflection of his grandfather. He should have seen it earlier. They’d both been trouble.

Perdyn glared at Calder, accusingly. The same glower she’d gifted him and Yelena with when they’d been caught raiding the larder.

Sorrell stammered reaching for his hood. Whatever the boy meant to hid was too late. Perdyn stiffened next to Calder. Calder tensed unsure of the shift in mood. Self-exile had drawbacks.

The silence hung awkwardly. Calder itched to turn toward her. They’d always shared joking looks, but not now. He couldn’t afford to indulge.

Calder slouched against the bridge’s wood, impatiently tapping his fingers. She was late.

“Interesting definition of alone.” Her voice was more worn than he recalled.

Silence. Strange since it’d been, what, an hour, maybe two since noise had shattered his decades long solitude. Waiting for his heart to slow, Calder shoved the man off