Chest heaving, lungs aching, Ren ran faster than he ever had in his life. Faster than the footraces he'd always beat Erin in as children. Faster than when he'd captured his first career criminal. Against the wind and into the plains, gunshots ringing out behind, flying through him without harm. Somewhere, out in the distance he could see a trail of glowing lanternlight, trailing ever so slowly across the ground. The cold scent of snow and dirt followed him with every step, his body kept warm from exertion alone.
He kept running, the seven-pointed star on the back of his hands pulsing in their gentle violet glow, strengthening him, spurring him on. This had to be that enhanced ability that came with Manifestation, giving him the endurance he needed to run the whole of it. Footfall after footfall.
Behind him, rose-gold light flared, casting his shadow in front of him even as the early morning sun rose behind him. Whoever, whatever had saved him was holding off an entire blockade by himself,and the prospect of it terrified Ren in some cold feeling that settled in his gut. The only other Marked Ren knew capable of such a feat had been his parents. Jeremiah Winter of the Third Mark had always been a force to be reckoned with. But… It made even more sense now. Ren's parents had made it to the Fourth Mark… The Binding Mark.
It was one of the last things his mother had shown him, after all.
Ren tripped, toppling over into the dirt and snow, his body crashing into the ground, his Marks fading as his body gave way to exhaustion. Still, he crawled, his coat growing cold from the water. He had to get to the caravan, had to survive. He would survive. The only way to set things right would be if he could survive, after all.
Stumbling back to his feet, he walked, his body aching, his bones like stone. By now, it was finally settling in. Everything that had happened; His sister murdered, his home abandoned, his parents fighting a war with the senate that they'd never win. It began to settle in his chest, heavy, his shoulders dropping under the shuddering weight. He'd allowed himself to go numb in that jail cell, allowed himself to accept the end. Yet, here he was, trudging through the snow.
His sister's frozen face flashed in his mind, and Ren collapsed to his knees, silent tears streaming from his face. He hated that, hated that he felt anything in this moment. Hated that he'd been so powerless. Hated that he was running. All his life, he'd trained to be his father's successor, trained to be an Arbiter. And the first moment it all went south, Ren turned tail and ran. Choking back his self-pity, he forced himself to his feet again, shoving down his grief. He needed to get to the caravan… The same one Erin had been so excited to see only days ago.
The picture of her excitement flashed in his mind. He could see her dancing down the hallway ahead of him, laughing about introducing him to some friends she'd met during their miniscule time they'd spent tutoring etiquette in the Academy or participating in youth events for the upper class. In his minds' eye, he could see her begging in that playful way she did, lip pouting, palms pressed flat to the other as she looked at him. He'd laughed, then, told her he had too much to do. Dueling practice with Gentry, extra time with the tutors for legal studies, arithmetic, and history. Told her that she could show him her new friends when they went to the Academy of Divine Order for his next dueling tournament and their etiqiutte lessons.
As he walked, it was as if the phantom of his sister walked beside him. Laughing at him with the same expression in which she scolded him. He cursed, forcing himself to stuff the memories away. He didn't have time to remember. Not then.
Roses and Ink, he was exhausted. When was the last time he'd slept? He didn't know. Fighting back the encroaching exhaustion was proving harder, even if he could see the outlines of the wagons in the distance, they were just so far. Each step threatened to be his last as his legs shook beneath him. Never in his life had such weakness overtaken his body. It was shameful, but what else was he to feel? What else was he–
Ren toppled over into the snow altogether, and Erin laughed beside him, tossing snow into the air with that lazy joy that she'd always reveled in. Her face, with softer lines and narrow ridges, wrinkled at the eyes at the slightest smile, and he could see her there, that same understanding on her face when she'd manifested the Scales and Ren had remained a late bloomer. It was unsettling, how easily she laughed, hand outstretched.
Plunging his hands into the snow to steady himself on all fours, Ren attempted to push himself up. The back of Erin's hands glowed, and Ren remembered how easily she'd taken to the Scales, transferring her weight into other objects to leap with uncanny height. The resentment that had built. Perfect, prodigy Erin.
Roaring in pain, exhaustion, and grief, Ren forced himself to his feet again.
Just a little longer. He just had to get to the caravan. "Clear heart and mind," He muttered, his voice now fighting him after tearing through it in standing again. Step after step, repeating the words, trying to banish Erin from his side. "Clear heart and…"
"Mind."
Before he could stumble again, a hand caught his shoulder, warm familiar. "Those Winter mantras again, hm?"
Ren blinked, vision hazy, long golden hair swaying behind her and rose red eyes boring into him with weary concern. Part of him was grateful for the acknowledgement. So terribly glad for the miniscule help he was receiving. But his pride, his need to be strong, to be something more than himself was all that was holding him together. So he pushed the girl away with what feeble energy he had left. But there was nothing left, barely able to lift his arms as he was, he pushed against her, enough to make her shift, but not enough to push her away. "I… I don't need…"
She didn't let him finish, taking his arm and wrapping it around her shoulders as she dragged him toward the wagons. "Hush, Ren. We need to get you to safety."
After a brief pause, from their one-sided conversation, she chortled, adjusting Ren on her shoulders as they walked. "You know, I'm glad the mask suits you. It would certainly be unbecoming to see your eyes right now, wouldn't it?"
Internally, Ren cringed at the very thought. She had to know what he was dealing with, and he couldn't even remember her name. And yet, she walked beside him all the same. It wasn't a rescue. Not really. For some reason, Ren knew he would've made it to the caravan on his own in one way or another. No, this wasn't rescue. Rescue would've been far more dramatic. Rescue was the golden glaive. This was too simple, just… Kindness.
They continued in silence, occasionally broken by the girl's comments. Inane things, about travel, about music, about food. He could barely focus, and Erin's phantom walked a few steps ahead of them.