Three figures lay behind the snow-covered bushes. Before the forest abruptly ended, cut by a small ravine. Far down below their vantage point, a bustling camp was clearly visible. There were three big huts and several smaller shelters. People were going to and fro the houses and the dark cavern, opening on the near cliff-side. One particular thing about most of the people was the fact that many were either chained in pairs or had iron balls attached to their feet. In stark contrast to them, there were a few well-armed individuals, shouting commands and ushering the captives to the large shacks. Around the perimeter there were small watch-fires burning, lighting the disk blood red with sentry’s positioned nearby.

“Just as the kid told us,” Duncan whispered, squinting his eyes. “At the end of the day all the slaves get locked in the barracks. This makes things easier.”

“I counted about thirty guards. With what Kai said, they shouldn’t be more than forty-five so we are evenly matched,” Noah replied, his gaze still fixated on the camp bellow. “Lucky for us they don’t have dogs or mobile patrols. It just makes me wonder… could it be a trap? They can’t be so stupid and arrogant in thinking that no one could escape or attack them?”

“But they truly have nothing to fear, my lord,” the third person, a man in his early thirties with the inherent de Mar freckles, answered. “The mountains around are like a deadly trap. They don’t need to chase anybody. Any poor fool stupid enough to venture out during winter is dead. And dogs would be additional mouths to feed. Furthermore, this place is so remote that one rarely comes near here for hunting or timber.”

“Cheeky bastards.” Duncan cracked his knuckles. “That explains why even sir Allen and his men couldn’t find any traces of them till now.”

“No, sir Duncan.” Allen de Mar had a stern look. “It is my gravest mistake for allowing such a thing to happen. This mountain range actually belongs to the de Mar barony. We were neglectful.”

“Stop it, Allen. No one is blaming you or your father for this.” Noah carefully slid back and stood up behind the cover of the nearby trees. “It isn’t like you can check every crack or valley from Dunai to the coast. And that snake Rowell is clever. Did you see? There are some binshi amongst the guards. No one is better than a binshi in hiding their tracks.”

“We still have no definite proof that Rowell is involved.” Allen followed his lord. “If we can prove it, and if the binshi are from the Red Hands, which is likely, then he is doomed this time.”

“No problem with that. We just need to capture a couple of them and make them sing. The easy or the hard way.” Duncan’s eye had an evil glint as he brushed away the snow from his clothes.

“I’ve said it many times already, old man. Torture is the last option.” Noah frowned at his friend’s suggestion.

“As you wish, my lord. Then we will have to do it the hard way.”

The three of them slipped nimbly through the thicket. Two kilometers from their observation spot, their own camp was hidden in a narrow dell. The dense fir branches prevented the smoke from the small fires from being discovered. When the three were half the way to the camp, a quiet bird-like whistle came from the woods. Allen lifted his hand and replied in a similar manner. Immediately, a shadowy figure appeared next to them. Dressed completely in black, only his white hair shimmered in the scarce moonlight.

“No movements, my lords,” the man reported. “They haven’t noticed our presence. The spirits are calm too. We couldn't detect any malicious summons or hexes, so most likely they don't have a shaman with them. No enemy scouts around whatsoever either.”

“Good job.” Noah nodded. “Still, rotate in teams of two every four hours and check the Spirit Plane regularly for any changes. The ones off-duty should come and warm themselves. I need you in top form for tomorrow.”

“As you command, my lord.” The Shadow bowed and disappeared between the threes.

Following his own advice, Noah and his escorts hurried to the welcoming warmth of the camp. When they stepped into the firelight, a scrawny boy jumped up and ran to greet them.

“My lord! How did it go?”

“It was exactly as you said, Kai. Well done.” Noah gave the child a small nod and praised him.

“You are one tough kid, ain’t ya?” Duncan ruffled the boy’s hair. “I still can’t believe you and your sister aren’t in the belly of a wolf right now.”

“Father… father taught me what to do in the wilderness, sir Duncan.” Despite his efforts, the boy’s eyes reddened. “The rest was just luck.”

“Cheer up, Kai.” Noah patted the boy’s shoulder, trying to disperse his anguish. “Tomorrow you’ll see him. I gave you my word, and I tend to keep my promises. Now go and rest. The journey has been tough on you.”

The boy just swallowed hard and nodded. Then he ran away to sit near one of the fires. Duncan’s gaze lingered after him.

“He is a capable lad – tough and smart for his age. Say, Noah, what would you think if I take him as my page?”

“No.”

The old knight gaped at the unexpected refusal.

“No offense, dear friend, but I’ve planned to pair him up with Gregor.” His lord gave him a nonchalant reply. “The two are a perfect match.”

“I never get the good ones!” grumbled Duncan. “First Jess, now Kai. I haven’t had a page in over a decade, you know. It is getting so tedious to have to borrow someone when I need to armor up.”

“Yes, but, if I remember correctly, you always complained about your last page, old friend.”

“And why wouldn’t I!? The kid was wild, insubordinate, lacked common sense, and tried to get himself killed at least a hundred times. In the end, he just had to go to a god-forsaken chunk of ice and become the new duke there.”

“I wouldn’t agree, Duncan. I think I was… yes, free-spirited, innovative, and maybe just a tiny bit wild. And I know that you like this chunk of ice much more than the nice, warm, and scheming capital.”

“You rascal, when did your mouth turn so glib?” The old knight clicked his tongue.

After exchanging some not-so-hidden smirks, the two went to the central fire where all other men had already gathered. The crowd parted, making place for Noah to sit on the long dry trunk in front of the happily crackling flames. He stretched out his arms, warming his chilled fingers on the fire.

“We attack tomorrow at first dawn,” he said, rubbing his palms. “At that time the night shift should be quite sleepy and the day-watch – half-awake. Still, I want no heroism. Take hostages only if you can.”

“Hmm, catching them in the gray of dawn with their pants down.” Duncan scratched his beard. “It isn’t very chivalrous but I still like it.”

There was muffled laughter from the knights.

“To hell with chivalry if it means that we keep our lives and skins intact.” Noah didn’t even bat an eyelid, which earned him another round of rough laughter. “Now, all except the sentries go to sleep!”

The crowd dispersed looking for a good place to huddle near the small fires on the periphery. Soon, only Noah, Duncan, and Allen remained at the central one. At the young knight’s signal, his squire ran to them, offering Noah a wooden bowl of soup.

“I know, you haven’t eaten yet, my lord.” Allen frowned slightly. “Your old habits are acting up again. We aren’t at war. No need to mind food rations.”

“You start to sound more and more like your nagging brother, Allen.” Noah drank his soup, savoring the pleasant warmth that spread throughout his body. “Two Williams are too much even for me to handle.”

“How are my little brothers doing in Ildemar?” Allen took a stick and shoved it in the dancing flames with a small chuckle. “Mother complains because they barely write us these days.”

“All things considered, pretty well.” Noah threw the young knight a glance. “Has the baroness forgiven me already for snatching two of her sons?”

“Mother sends you her best wishes as always, my lord.” Allen laughed. “However, I don’t think she’ll ever truly accept that her chicks are already grown-up and out of the nest. And speaking of children… I heard that you’ve finally married. I wish I could have attended the wedding, but still, congratulations, my lord. I hope we’ll soon receive the good news about a little prince on the way.”

Noah choked on his soup and coughed violently.

“Y-yes… sure… eventually,” he mumbled and for some reason, his face got hotter.

“Is everything alright, my lord?” Allen was worried slightly by his unexpectedly violent reaction. “Are you and the duchess…?”

“We are totally fine,” Noah cut him off. Suddenly he felt Duncan’s large arm around his shoulder.

“Of course. They are even more than fine.” He winked at the young knight. “Just so you know, our lord received a twin-drop before we left.”

“Oh, my! That’s wonderful, my lord.” A wide smile appeared on Allen’s lips and his tension disappeared. “I might even be a bit jealous.”

“Alright, that’s enough, you two!” Losing his patience, Noah brushed off Duncan’s arm and said sternly. “Tomorrow will be a rough day. No more chit-chat. Hit the sacks. Now!”

This was an unmistakable order. His friends winked at each other again and Allen went away. Duncan threw himself on the pile of freshly cut fir branches near the fire, huddling in his cloak.

“You know, boy, sir Allen is right,” he murmured under his breath. “I do hope you and lady Lorelei forget about that stupid one-year-promise and make a baby or two as soon as possible. The years pass and I ain’t getting younger. I wish to see your son before I go to meet your mother.”

“Go to sleep already, Duncan,” barked Noah.

“Just saying.”

Noah turned his back on him and tried to ignore this annoying mentor of his. What would the old man even know? His fingers dug secretly under his collar and took out a small shining amulet. The embers from the fire were making the little stars in the twin-drop’s blue depths sparkle. It was beautiful. He had never liked jewelry, but this tiny piece of glass was truly something else. Holding it in his hand, Noah felt a pull his chest. There was no need for sir Allen to be jealous. She had given it to him as a good luck charm, without knowing the true meaning of a twin-drop. Well, what did he even expect? They were forced together by Lionel’s sadistic games. He had tried his best to compensate her for all the hardships she had been put through but still... It wasn’t like she had any feelings for him. ‘From a friend’ she had said. Maybe he should be grateful that she saw him at least as a friend worthy of a good luck charm and not as a scary, ugly monster that had trapped her in the frozen lands of the North. Yet his mentor and his friends were telling him to… ‘bed’ her as fast as possible, just like a wild beast would do. As if Lorelei was some kind of object in his possession. A piece of meat for him to gobble up when hungry and not a person worthy of respect. What would any of them know? He understood that Duncan was concerned about his lack of an heir to continue the ducal bloodline. He could also clearly see why William insisted on keeping Lorelei in Norden at all costs. To hell with them! Ever since he could remember, he desperately tried to deny his beastly heritage. He was not like his father. He would never force himself on her!

Kissing his twin-drop lightly, Noah closed his eyes and made a wordless wish.

‘Good night, my wife. May the Mother Above watch over you and send you pleasant dreams.’