“Aldor.” Keira touched his shoulder. Goosebumps ran up his arm that weren't triggered by the cold. “Everyone here knows the kind of dangers that are coming. They wouldn't have come otherwise. Laurence and Gregory came up from the south because they wanted to make friends with Rowan's son. They're from where Rowan's empire was thought to have resided, so who knows, maybe their parents knew your father or something. Dale would do anything for his king, if Jasper came with him, and me… I had to get away from Alyeth. I want, more than anything, to help you. You're not alone, I promise.”
“Thanks.” Aldor shivered, literally feeling the temperature drop. He and Keira drew their blankets a bit tighter around their shoulders. Gratefulness toward Keira warmed him up despite the cold.
“I want to gi
