The Road North
1258 Words
The palace had not yet awakened.
The first light of dawn barely touched the snow-covered rooftops of Eirenshade as two horses waited patiently in the royal stables. Their breaths drifted into the crisp morning air in soft clouds, hooves scraping gently against the frost-covered stone.
Stable hands hurried quietly between the stalls, tightening saddles and fastening travel packs.
No one spoke above a whisper.
It wasn't every morning that the Crown Prince left the capital before sunrise.
Ace tightened the strap securing his sword to his saddle before running a reassuring hand along his horse's neck.
"You'll have to forgive the early start."
The gray stallion snorted in response.
"I know."
A voice behind him broke the silence.
"Talking to horses again?"
Ace looked over his shoulder.
Prince Orion approached, fastening the clasp of his white winter cloak around his shoulders. Snow crunched beneath his boots with every measured step.
"They're excellent listeners."
"They also can't disagree with you."
Ace smiled.
"Exactly why I enjoy the conversation."
Orion shook his head, though the corner of his mouth threatened the faintest hint of a smile.
"Father was less amused."
"He usually is."
The brothers worked in comfortable silence for a few moments, each checking the supplies strapped to their saddles.
Blankets.
Rations.
Medical kits.
Maps.
Everything they'd need for several days on the road.
One of the stable masters approached and bowed deeply.
"Your Highnesses."
Ace turned.
"The scouts are prepared."
"Good."
"They're requesting permission to ride with you."
Ace glanced toward the stable entrance where six mounted royal scouts waited patiently.
He considered the request only briefly.
"They'll leave two hours after we do."
The stable master blinked.
"...Your Highness?"
"We'll ride ahead."
"But—"
"The roads to Frostmere are safe enough."
Orion folded his arms.
"For the most part."
Ace nodded.
"The scouts will catch up before nightfall."
The stable master hesitated.
"It would be safer if—"
"It wasn't a suggestion."
The man's shoulders straightened immediately.
"Of course, Your Highness."
As the stable master hurried off to relay the orders, Orion adjusted the gloves on his hands.
"You've always been impatient."
Ace chuckled.
"I prefer 'efficient.'"
"You prefer answers."
"That too."
Orion mounted his black stallion in one smooth motion.
"I imagine Father won't be pleased."
"He rarely is when I ignore his precautions."
"You do that often."
"I usually have a reason."
"And today?"
Ace looked toward the northern gates, where the pale dawn slowly painted the horizon in shades of silver and blue.
"If even half of what that merchant said is true..."
His expression grew serious.
"...every hour matters."
For a moment, Orion simply watched his older brother.
There it was again.
The reason Ace had been named Crown Prince.
Not because he sought glory.
Not because he desired power.
But because when others hesitated...
Ace moved.
Without another word, Orion nudged his horse forward.
"I suppose I'd better keep you alive."
Ace laughed as he climbed into the saddle.
"I was hoping you'd volunteer."
The massive gates of the royal stables creaked open.
Beyond them, the capital still slept beneath its blanket of snow.
The brothers exchanged one final glance.
Then, with a sharp kick of their heels, their horses surged forward into the awakening dawn.
Behind them, six royal scouts watched the princes disappear down the northern road.
One young scout let out a slow whistle.
"Are they really going alone?"
The captain adjusted the reins of his horse.
"They're not alone."
He watched the distant figures grow smaller against the snow-covered landscape.
"They have each other."
The captain turned back toward his men.
"We give them two hours."
"Then we ride."
Far ahead, Ace and Orion galloped through the quiet countryside, the cold wind biting at their faces as the capital disappeared behind them.
Neither prince noticed the lone hooded figure standing atop a distant ridge, watching their departure in complete silence.
Only after the riders vanished beyond the hills did the figure turn away.
And disappear into the forest.
The morning sun climbed steadily higher as the brothers rode north.
The towering walls of Eirenshade had long since disappeared behind rolling hills blanketed in untouched snow. Frost-covered pines lined the winding road ahead, their branches heavy beneath the weight of winter.
For a time, neither prince spoke.
The rhythmic sound of hooves against the frozen path filled the silence between them.
It was Orion who finally broke it.
"You've been distracted."
Ace kept his eyes on the road ahead.
"Have I?"
"You've looked back toward the capital three times."
Ace let out a quiet laugh.
"I didn't realize you were counting."
"I usually do."
Another silence followed.
This one felt lighter.
After several miles, Ace spoke.
"I've been thinking about Nyra."
Orion wasn't surprised.
"I assumed as much."
Ace sighed.
"I hate leaving her there."
"She's in the palace."
"I know."
"She's safe."
Ace finally turned to look at his younger brother.
"Is she?"
Orion didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he adjusted the reins in his gloved hands, watching his horse carefully navigate the icy trail.
"You know what I mean," Ace continued.
"The twins."
Orion nodded once.
"They've become worse."
"They've become bolder."
"They only act that way when you're not around."
Ace frowned.
"And you?"
Orion's expression remained unreadable.
"What about me?"
"They don't seem to care if you're there."
A faint breeze carried loose snow across the road.
Finally, Orion spoke.
"They know I won't interfere."
Ace's horse slowed to a walk.
"Why?"
The question lingered in the cold air.
"I've asked myself that more than once."
Ace studied his brother's face.
"I don't think Nyra believes you care about her."
"I know."
"You've never given her a reason to think otherwise."
Orion lowered his gaze for the first time that morning.
"I wouldn't know where to begin."
That answer caught Ace off guard.
"You've never disliked her."
"No."
"You've never blamed her for being different."
"No."
"So why keep your distance?"
Orion watched the snow drift from a nearby pine before answering.
"Because every conversation feels..."
He searched for the right word.
"...late."
Ace frowned.
"Late?"
"When Nyra was little, she always tried to talk to me."
His voice grew quieter.
"She'd bring me books she thought I'd enjoy."
"Ask if I'd teach her chess."
"Follow me through the gardens asking questions."
Ace listened in silence.
"I was studying."
"Training."
"Preparing for council meetings."
"I always told myself I'd spend time with her tomorrow."
He let out a slow breath.
"Then tomorrow became another year."
The only sound was the crunch of snow beneath their horses.
"I looked up one day..."
Orion's eyes remained fixed on the road ahead.
"...and she'd stopped asking."
Ace felt something tighten in his chest.
He had never heard Orion speak so openly.
"I think..." Orion said quietly, "...she decided I wasn't interested."
"You could still change that."
"Perhaps."
"But I don't think she knows how to speak to me anymore."
Ace smiled faintly.
"You'd be surprised."
Orion glanced at him.
"Nyra has always been willing to forgive."
Ace looked toward the endless road stretching north.
"Sometimes..."
He smiled to himself.
"...I think she's the strongest person in this family."
Neither brother spoke again.
They didn't need to.
For the first time in years, they both carried the same thought.
Perhaps...
They hadn't been paying enough attention to their little sister.
Ahead, the road disappeared into a dense forest of ancient pines.
The northern frontier waited beyond the trees.
And with it...
Answers neither prince was prepared to find.
- Writer
