Chapter 68: A Debt Paid, A Fragile Alliance
The sky paled into soft morning light before they realized how long they'd been talking. The fire had burned down to glowing embers, and the air was cool but not cold—nothing like the North, where even early spring brought biting chill.
The Ghost stood, stretching slowly, his muscles stiff from sitting for hours.
"Enough talking. We should move. Before Valerius's knights come searching for us, or the cult spots our fire. We've stayed too long as it is."
Bart stepped forward suddenly, a wide, playful grin spreading across his face, his hand resting on the dagger at his waist.
"Wait. Before we go—you owe me a punch. Fair and square."
The Ghost blinked, confused, tilting his head to the side.
"Pardon? I owe you a punch?"
"Back at the manor," Bart said, nodding firmly. "You kicked me into a pile of rotten barrels and ruined my favorite tunic. I never got to hit you back. A debt's a debt. I'm not leaving until I pay it."
