Maria exhaled slowly. Then she reached up and pulled off her helmet. Cold air brushed against her face, but her eyes were already locked on the soldier.
"Do you know the presence of whom you stand?" she snapped. Her voice didn't rise wildly. It cut. Sharp. Controlled. The kind that made men step back before thinking.
The soldier stiffened. "I… I am sorry, my lady," he said quickly, his head dropping. "The two warriors behind you look suspicious."
Maria took a step forward. Not fast. Not slow. Just enough. "Are you suggesting I am moving with criminals?"
The words hung there.
Heavy.
The soldier swallowed hard. His grip on his spear shifted, then tightened again. "No, my lady. I did not say that. I would never say that."
Maria held his gaze for a second longer. Then: "Then get out of my way." Her tone dropped, but somehow it felt worse.
The soldier stepped aside immediately. No hesitation this time. Maria put her helmet back on and walked past him without looking again.
Drexo and Theon followed her. Every step felt exposed. Too open. Too loud.
The other soldiers watched them pass. Their eyes lingered on the boots. The size. The way they moved.
Something was off. Anyone could see it. But no one spoke. No one dared. Not after that. They moved past the final line of guards.
Out, into the open stretch that led toward the shore. Only then did Maria slow slightly. Not enough to draw attention. Just enough to breathe.
The ship came into view. Still where they left it. The girls were oatiently waiting for their return. "Go," she said under her breath.
Drexo didn't wait. Neither did Theon. They moved quickly, climbing aboard with the others. The moment their feet touched the deck, the air shifted.
The girls turned. All of them. Eyes narrowed. Hands resting close to weapons. They didn't feel comfortable witb strangers in their space. Even in disguise, it was obvious.
Maria stepped in last. "It's done," she said. No explanation yet. Just that. The tension held for a second longer. Then slowly, it eased.
"Where will you go?" Maria asked. The question landed between them. Theon answered first. "Adark."
Short, but certain. Like it was already decided. It was the proper place to go. A place where they won't be known.
But Drexo shook his head. "No." Theon looked at him. "Cliffland," Drexo said. His voice was quieter now. Not weak. Just tired. "My aunt and cousin rule there. I will be safe."
Safe. The word didn't sit right. Not after everything. Theon stared at him for a moment. "You know Robert will come for you."
Drexo's jaw tightened. "I know." He paused. "At least there, I will not stand alone."
Silence followed. The kind that made decisions for you. Maria looked at him. Really looked this time. Not as a prince. Not as a fugitive.
Just him. Then she nodded. "If Cliffland is where you stand a chance, then that is where we go."
No argument. No delay. She turned slightly. "Set course." The ship moved. The water shifted beneath them as the oars dipped again. And just like that, they were gone.
The sea stretched endlessly around them. Day turned into night..Night into another day. No one chased them. No one stopped them.
The Woodland flag waved high above the ship, cutting through the wind. A warning. A claim. A shield.
Territories they passed saw it. And chose silence. Two days. That was how long it took. Two days of movement. Two days of quiet.
Drexo barely spoke. He stayed near the edge most of the time, staring out into the water like he expected something to rise from it.
Or maybe he just didn't want to look at anyone..Food was brought to him. He took it..But most of it stayed untouched.
His shoulders looked heavier. Not from wounds. From something else. Maria noticed. Of course she did.
More than once, she walked toward him. Stopped halfway. Turned back. What was she supposed to say?
Sorry? For what? For something she didn't do? Or something her blood did?
She exhaled once under her breath. "What do you say to a man who lost everything to your own brother?"
No answer came. So she stayed silent.
By the third day, land appeared.
Cliffland.
Rocky shores. High cliffs rising like walls carved by time itself. The waves crashed harder here, louder. As they approached, movement stirred on land.
Warriors. Dozens of them. Then more.
By the time the ship touched the shore, they were surrounded. Weapons drawn..Eyes sharp. "A Woodland ship on our shore," the commander barked. His voice carried easily over the sound of the sea.
Maria stepped forward. "We come in peace." The commander laughed once.
Short, and dry. "We have heard what happened." His grip on his sword tightened slightly. "Kingdoms have risen. Thrones have fallen. War has begun."
His eyes settled on her. "The North stands among them."
Silence followed.
Maria didn't look away. "Maybe my brother stands at war," she said. "But I do not."
The commander smiled. Not kindly.."Save those words for Lady Havana." He turned slightly. "Arrest them."
The command landed.
Hard.
The soldiers moved. Steel flashed as swords were drawn fully. Steps closed in.
"There will be no need for that." The voice cut through everything. Drexo stepped forward. He reached up. Pulled off his helmet.
The moment his face showed, the shift was instant. Recognition. Shock.
Then, the commander dropped to one knee. "Your Grace." The others followed. Like falling pieces. "I thank the gods you are safe."
Drexo didn't react to that. "They are not your enemies, they rescued me," he said.
Simple, and Direct. "Let them go.".The commander hesitated. Just for a second.
"My prince, having her in custody could serve us.".He glanced briefly at Maria. "Lady Havana seeks vengeance. Against the Rendells. Against the Woodlands."
Drexo's expression hardened. "This one is not to be touched." No hesitation now. "She showed me kindness."
Another pause.
Then the commander bowed his head. "It will be as you command." The tension broke.
Slowly. The soldiers stepped back. Weapons lowered. Space opened again.
Drexo turned to Maria. For a moment, he didn't speak. "Thank you." The words came out quieter than expected.
Maria nodded. That was all. "I have to leave," she said. No softness in it. Just fact. "You know I am not welcome here."
Drexo nodded. "I will not forget this." He meant it. You could hear it.
Maria didn't reply. She turned. Walked back toward the ship. The girls followed. No one looked back. The ship pushed off again.
Water parted. Distance grew. On the shore, Drexo watched until they were nothing more than a shape against the horizon.
Then he turned. Mounted a horse. Theon followed. They rode toward the city.
Far away. In King City. A raven cut through the sky.
Fast, and relentless. It didn't stop. Not until it reached the tower. Guards stepped aside as it was received.
The message was taken immediately. Delivered without delay. Edmond Woodland stood by the window when it reached him.
He took it. Unrolled it. His eyes moved across the words.
Once, then again.
Slower.
DREXO DRAGARIAN HAS ARRIVED CLIFFLAND.
HE WAS BROUGHT BY A WOODLAND SHIP, HEADED BY YOUR SISTER.
For a second, nothing happened. Then, His grip tightened. The parchment crumpled slightly in his hand.
"No!" The word came out under his breath.
Low, and uncertain. "This is not possible.".His jaw set. His eyes hardened. "My sister would not betray me."
A pause.
Longer this time. Then quieter, "She would never commit treason against the Ice Throne." But the message remained in his hand.
Unchanged, and unforgiving. And somewhere, deep beneath the certainty he was trying to hold on to.