Edmond walked past Bianca without stopping. The parchment was still in his hand, the king's seal hanging broken from its edge. His boots echoed along the corridor stones as he moved.
"He wants Ryli and Sonia's engagement done immediately," he said.
Bianca stood still for a moment. Then a slow smile spread across her face. The tension in her shoulders softened.
"My beloved Sonia," she murmured quietly, almost to herself. Her eyes drifted toward the tall windows overlooking the frozen sea. "Is about to become the future queen of the Nine Kingdoms."
The words seemed to fill the hallway.
Queen.
The thought settled warmly inside her.
Within moments, Snowland changed. The castle stirred like a beast waking from sleep.
Servants ran through the halls carrying chests and travel cloaks. Stable boys rushed toward the courtyards where horses stamped impatiently in the cold. Armor clanged as soldiers gathered in the training yard.
Orders traveled quickly from tower to tower..The Warden of the North was leaving.
That alone carried weight.
Half the garrison would travel with him. The other half would remain behind. A kingdom without soldiers invited rebellion.
The gates had to stay guarded. The watchtowers had to stay manned. The banners of the Woodland house had to keep flying above the walls.
Edmond walked through the castle without slowing. Men stepped aside when they saw him coming.
Some bowed.
Others simply lowered their heads.
He climbed the narrow stairs leading toward the smaller western building. The one closest to his study.
Newton's room.
Edmond pushed the door open. Newton was sitting on the edge of the bed when his father entered.
The boy's head lifted immediately. "Father?"
Edmond stepped inside. "I will be leaving," he said. Newton straightened. "With my wife and the rest of your siblings."
Newton's eyes lit up instantly. "Let me go with you."
The words came quickly. Almost eagerly.
For a moment it felt like sunlight had burst through the room. But Edmond shook his head.
"No."
The answer came just as quickly. Newton blinked. "You must remain here at Snowland."
The excitement vanished from his face. "Why?" The word came out sharper than he intended.
He stood now, his fists slowly tightening at his sides. "Are you too ashamed of me that you do not want me with you at the capital?"
The room grew quiet.
Edmond studied him. Then he stepped forward and placed his hand gently on Newton's bald head. He held it there for a moment.
Then he leaned down and kissed it. The warmth surprised Newton. His shoulders loosened slightly.
Edmond pulled back with a small smile.
"I truly wish I were taking you with me," he said. His hand slid down Newton's shoulder. "So I would not miss shaving your hair."
He paused.
A soft chuckle escaped him.
"But there must remain a Woodland in Snowland."
Newton frowned slightly. Edmond's eyes held his. "You must be my eyes here."
His voice grew firm again. "And lord over the castle until I return."
Newton hissed softly through his teeth. Loneliness was already creeping in. "I am no Woodland," he muttered. "I am an Ice."
Edmond reached forward and touched his forehead. "You may not carry the name," he said quietly. "But the blood runs in your veins."
Newton stared at the floor. Then slowly he nodded. Edmond stepped closer and wrapped his arms around him.
The hug was firm.
Brief, but real.
"You are in charge of the North now," Edmond said softly near his ear. "Show them you are a Woodland by blood."
He pulled back. Then he slipped something from his finger.
A ring.
Heavy. Silver in colour.
The Woodland crest carved deep into its surface.
Edmond took Newton's hand and placed the ring in it. The metal felt cold against Newton's skin.
"The symbol of my authority," Edmond said.
Newton stared at it. His lips curved slightly. "I will miss you."
Edmond smiled back. "I will miss you too."
For a moment neither moved. Then Edmond reached into his robe. He pulled out a small container. It was no bigger than a thumb.
Dark glass with a tight lid.
He held it out toward Newton. "What is this?" Newton asked. "This is a dye," Edmond replied.
He placed it carefully in Newton's hand. "I am likely going to stay more than a week."
Newton shrugged lightly. "In three days," Edmond continued, "you must dye your hair."
Newton smiled faintly. "Do not worry," he said.
"I will have the guards scrape it." Edmond's hand shot forward suddenly. He grabbed Newton by the collar.
Hard.
The movement was so quick Newton barely reacted. Edmond's face was suddenly inches from his. "Never," he said quietly.
The word came out like a blade.
"Never allow anyone to see your hair." Newton's eyes widened slightly. Edmond tightened his grip. "Dye it," he whispered. "Until I return."
Newton nodded quickly. Edmond released him. The tension melted from his face just as fast as it had appeared.
Newton stepped forward and hugged him again. This time Edmond hugged back longer. Then he left the room.
The next day arrived wrapped in cold wind and gray clouds. Down by the harbor, ships waited.
Their tall masts creaked softly against the sky. Soldiers moved along the docks carrying crates, saddles, and supplies.
Horses stomped inside the transport vessels. Armor clanked. Orders echoed. Newton stood near the boarding ramp.
Sonia rested in his arms once again. Her face was turned slightly away from the harbor. She looked unhappy.
The expression sat plainly across her features. "I am missing you already," she whispered.
Her fingers curled lightly into his cloak. Newton adjusted his hold on her. "I will miss you too," he whispered back.
Nearby, Bianca stood beside the final ship. She held the hand of her youngest daughter. Lady Titiana Woodland.
Nine years old. Small. Bright-eyed.
Titiana could barely contain her excitement. She bounced slightly on her feet as she looked at the ships.
"I heard the king has a big stomach," she said loudly.
Bianca instantly covered the girl's mouth.
"Shiiiii."
Her eyes darted around quickly. "You do not talk about kings that way."
Titiana blinked.
Bianca leaned closer. "He might behead you." The girl's eyes widened. Then she nodded quickly.
Bianca finally released her mouth. One by one the family began boarding the ship. Soldiers followed. Horses were led aboard. The ropes were untied.
Sails climbed slowly up the masts. The wind caught them. The ships creaked as they began drifting away from the docks.
Newton stood on the shore watching. He lifted his hand. He waved. Sonia stood by the ship's window now. Her fingers gripped the wooden frame.
Her eyes stayed fixed on him. She watched every small movement. Every detail.
Newton grew smaller as the ships drifted farther into the gray sea.
Still she watched. Still she held the window. Until the figure on the shore became only a shadow.
And then nothing. But someone else had been watching. Farther down the coast. Half hidden behind the jagged rocks.
A man crouched quietly. His cloak blended with the stones. His eyes never left the ships.
A spy.
Sent by Lord Bennett. He waited. Silent. Patient.
Until the ships disappeared completely into the horizon.
Then he turned. Without hesitation he climbed the rocky path away from the coast.
His footsteps quickened. He had news to deliver.