Page 109 of Salt Between the Wolves

Yesterday she had brought her sister to safety, and tonight she was preparing to place that safety in someone else's hands. She understood why and even agreed with the reasoning, yet understanding did nothing to ease the ache. As she sat there listening to the wind beyond the windows, she found herself wishing, for the first time in many years, that doing the right thing felt less like losing.

Chapter 15: Too Late

Soren

The gates of Ironfang stood open when Soren returned.

Snow drifted across the courtyard in slow spirals as riders crossed beneath the archway and dismounted without ceremony. No one hurried forward to greet them, no announcements echoed from the walls, and the fortress carried on as it always did, wrapped in stone, wind, and routine.

Only the looks were different, and Soren noticed them immediately: the glances that lingered too long, the conversations that stopped as he passed, and the tension that seemed to settle over the yard like a second layer of snow.

News traveled quickly in Ironfang, faster than riders and often faster than reason itself. By now everyone knew that Eira was gone.

He handed his reins to a stable hand without a word and crossed the courtyard toward the great hall.

Halfway there, he saw Kael waiting beneath the covered passage leading toward the inner keep.

The man neither moved nor greeted him, wasting no time on formalities, and Soren knew before a single word was spoken that nothing had changed. There was no new information, no miracle, and no sign of her.

"Report."

Kael fell into step beside him.

"We followed the trail as far as the western pass."

Soren said nothing.

"The weather erased most of it after that."

They entered the keep, and the heavy doors closed behind them. Warmth washed over them, though Soren barely noticed it.

"She took one horse," Kael continued. "Not the fastest. One of the mountain mares."

The choice was practical and steady, suited for long distances, and Soren felt something tighten inside his chest. It was not panic but recognition.

"Elias checked the stores."

Kael's voice remained level.

"She took dried meat, water skins, winter blankets, medicines, and enough supplies for several weeks."

Several weeks, not several days. The distinction mattered more than Soren wanted to admit.

"They were taken gradually."

Soren stopped walking, and Kael stopped with him.

For a moment neither spoke.

"They were taken gradually," Soren repeated.

"Yes."

"Not all at once."

"No."

Silence settled between them while a servant passed through the corridor and quickly disappeared around the next corner.