They cleared the entrance in seconds. The open road stretched before them, vast and free. And yet, she couldn't stop thinking about it. The Baron's words had pulled at something dark. Something deep. Something she had spent so much time pushing away. The crime she was accused of. She hadn't been ready to confront it. She still wasn't.

  The town blurred behind them, the sound of shouts and the clatter of armoured boots swallowed by the open stretch of road ahead. The wind howled past Lyra’s ears as Orion galloped at full speed, his hooves striking hard against the dirt, rhythmic and relentless. The trees lining the road blurred into streaks of green and brown, and the sky above, once a soft morning blue, had shifted into something duller, hazy from the dust their escape had kicked up. She could hear Korie just ahead, Aurelian’s hooves pounding against the earth in perfect cadence with Orion’s. The elf rode like he had never stolen a horse in his life - like Aurelian had always been his.

  The Baron’s voice had long since faded, but still, they rode. They rode because they had to be sure that there was no one following them, that no lingering threat remained, that she was safe. Safe from Nightbloom, safe from his words, safe from the past clawing its way back into the light. The past.

  Her breath hitched, just slightly, but she just pushed Orion harder, faster. She needed distance. From Zephyr Hollow. From Baron Nightbloom. From the name that he had almost spoken. Yet, no matter how far they rode, some things were not so easily left behind.

  Liora.

  The memory came like a blade to the ribs, sharp and deep and unyielding. Lyra tried to blink it away, to focus on the rhythm of Orion's hooves, on the steady, powerful strength of his body beneath her but she was no longer on the road.

  She was back there, back to that day.

  To Liora.

  To the silence of that room.

  To the coldness of the air, the unnatural stillness in a space that should have been filled with warmth and life.

  Lyra's breathing hitched, just slightly. Her hands - steady, always steady - tightened around Orion's reins. She could still feel it.

  The weight of Liora in her arms.

  The way she had cradled her, hands trembling as they never had before. The coldness of the marble tile beneath her as she had sunk to the floor. She had brushed silver strands of hair from her face, had traced fingers across cool skin, had whispered her name as if that alone would wake her.

  There had been no waking.

  Only stillness. Only silence.

  Only death.

  A sharp gasp tore from Lyra’s lips, her body snapping back into the present, into the dust and the wind and the road. Enough.

  She pulled Orion’s reins hard, slowing him, forcing herself to breathe, to control the tremor in her chest. They had been riding for long enough, they had lost the guards and they were safe - for now. Orion skidded to a halt, snorting, his breath coming in strong, steady huffs.

  Lyra was not so steady. She barely heard the dull sound of Korie pulling Aurelian to a stop beside her. She barely noticed anything except the pressure against her arm - the damn armband, still fastened too tightly against her sleeve. It felt like a noose. She reached for it with quick, almost frantic fingers, tugging at the fabric. The silver embroidery gleamed in the light, its insignia mocking her. She tore it off, fisting it in her hands and breathed.

  She was shaking. She clenched her jaw, curling her fingers tight around the armband as if she could crush it in her grip. The breath she let out was slow, controlled, but her pulse was still racing.

  It wasn't Nightbloom. It wasn't Korie.

  It was her own damn name.

  Lady Lysandra Selvorin. First Blade. Third Sentinel. Commander of the King’s Vanguard. Keeper of the Sovereign’s Oath. Sworn Protector of the Realm.

  Too many titles for a woman who had failed to protect the only thing that had mattered. She squeezed her eyes shut for just a moment, then inhaled sharply, shoving the armband into her pack. She refused to look at Korie. Refused to let him see whatever ghosts still lingered in her expression.

  "Orion needs to rest," she muttered, keeping her gaze fixed on her stallion's neck as she stroked it gently, finding something, anything to do with her hands.

  As Korie slowed to a stop beside her, eyeing her and the way she shook, he felt puzzled. He must've missed something important when he'd gone to sneak into the stable; he'd expected a laugh of relief at the getaway, yet Lyra seemed pained by something he was clueless to. He felt the need to comfort her, whether it be out of anxiety or fear; the view of a seemingly strong soldier, broken down and shaken to the very core, caused him to feel... unsafe. He watched how she seeked comfort, her hand petting Orion's coat, and he stifled his fear for the sake of responding back. "We've got plenty of time until nightfall to rest. Let's stop for a bit. I recall there being a river running through the forest nearby..."

  The two moved carefully through the thick forest, their horses stepping over tangled roots, rocks and stones. The air was cool and smelled of damp earth and pine, leaves rustling gently above their heads. Before long, they heard the soft rush of running water and turned toward the sound. Pushing through the undergrowth, they emerged into a small clearing. Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting golden patches on the grass. A narrow stream ran through the middle, its clear water bubbling over smooth rocks. Wildflowers and moss grew along the banks, and the air felt fresh and crisp, carrying the comforting scent of the forest.

  When they emerged into a small clearing, bathed in golden light, Lyra exhaled a slow breath. It was a good spot. Secluded, quiet, surrounded by the gentle sounds of nature rather than the noise of the past clawing at her heels. Still, her mind hadn’t stopped racing.

  She swung down from Orion’s saddle with ease, landing fluidly, her body moving on instinct, on years of practice. She loosened the straps of his bridle, ran a hand down his muscled neck, feeling the heat of exertion beneath her fingers. It was comforting. Something solid. Something known. Her fingers traced through his mane, a slow, grounding motion. Horses were steady, unchanging. A companion who didn't leave, didn't falter and didn't betray her. Not like everything else. Lyra swallowed hard, shaking off the thought.

  Korie stopped to dismount, not without struggle. He tried not to look too foolish, gripping the saddle with shaky hands, his head bent down as he eyed the distance from the ground. He wondered how Lyra rode Orion so smoothly, moving with the horse as if it were second nature. Lyra rode with ease, guiding Orion with the slightest movement. She must've had years of training, learning how to move with the horse instead of against it. Meanwhile, he struggled just to stay balanced, gripping the reins too tightly whenever his horse shifted beneath him. Korie could handle the speed, but when the pressure of the wind wasn't there to support him, the light trot had him acting shaky.

  He hopped off the horse, his legs shaky as they adjusted to solid ground again. He patted the horse a few times, who turned his head towards him in response. He patted his head this time, a few awkward but gentle touches of his hand. He knew not of where horses enjoyed being pet, but he knew other animals would probably appreciate such a gesture, so...

  A sharp, clumsy thud drew her attention, and she turned in time to see Korie awkwardly sliding off Aurelian, his legs wobbling the moment his feet touched the ground. She watched in thinly veiled amusement as he patted the stallion’s neck - hesitant, uncertain, as if unsure whether he was doing it right. The noble horse simply flicked an ear in his direction, judging him silently. Lyra might’ve smiled, if she had the energy for it.

  His eyes turned to Lyra then, a quiet but solid acknowledgement. She appeared so dejected still... Korie didn't do well with such emotions, uncertain of what would help and what wouldn't, what would be appropriate to say or do. Maybe he ought to move on to a different subject rather than the haunted look in her eyes. "You, uh... you seem to know of horses," He began, shifting awkwardly towards Aurelian. "I, on the other hand, have no clue of how to handle them, or..." He motioned in the air with one hand, shaking his head as he left his sentence incomplete. "... Anything else, really."

  Korie turned to her, his gaze shifting, hesitant. He had noticed. She wished he hadn't. Lyra knew what her face must have looked like - drawn, distant, still lost somewhere in the past. The past she had no intention of discussing.

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  It didn't leave a good taste in his mouth, attempting to move on when she was clearly still hurting, but she didn't appear the type to hug and cry it out. Lyra would probably punch him if he attempted to get that close, or at least that's the impression she'd given him. He did not know her well, that was true, but he could at least read a situation well enough to understand her boundaries. She would appreciate the change in discussion, whether it was the right choice or not.

  Korie, to his credit, seemed to understand that. Rather than pushing - rather than prying, which would have made her snap at him, consequences be damned - he awkwardly motioned toward Aurelian instead. She raised a brow as he spoke, staring at him for a long moment. It was clear he had only said it to fill the space between them, to move away from whatever ghosts still lingered around her. She knew what he was using and damn it all, she appreciated it.

  With a slow exhale, she folded her arms over her chest, tilting her head slightly as she studied both him and Aurelian.

  "Horses aren’t difficult," she finally said, her voice quieter than usual, but steady. "You just need to understand them. You can’t force them, you can’t treat them like tools. They have their own will, their own instincts. You work with them, not against them."

  To try and demonstrate her point, she stepped into Aurelian's space without hesitation. The stallion flicked his ears towards her, acknowledging her presence in a way he hadn't for Korie. She reached out and placed a firm hand on his neck, rubbing slowly in a way that was neither hesitant nor overbearing.

  "It starts with how you approach them," she said. "They can read you - your body, your energy, your intent. If you walk up stiff, nervous, unsure of yourself? They'll pick up on that." She glanced at him then, eyeing him. "You're holding yourself too tense. Horses know when you don't trust them, and that makes them not trust you."

  As if to prove her point, the stallion turned his head away from Korie, entirely uninterested in his presence. Lyra exhaled, stepping back. "Try again but this time, relax. If he steps forward, adjust with him. If he turns his head, let him acknowledge you before reaching too quickly. You're showing him that you're here, that you're not a threat, but also that you're not trying to control him."

  That... was the most he'd heard Lyra speak so far. "I guess you like horses, then?" He smiled a little, trying not to sound as though he's purposely teasing her on it. There was no shame in such an interest; horses were incredibly helpful animals as far as Korie was concerned. They helped haul people and cargo, they raced, they were used by guards to uphold the law. Korie had simply never had neither use nor room to keep a horse, but now that he had... Aurelian, was it? He supposed it was time to learn a thing or two.

  It had been said lightly, almost teasing, but there was no mockery in it. Just curiosity. She hadn’t answered because like wasn’t the right word. Horses were constant. They were loyal. They had been the only steady thing in her life for years. So no, it wasn’t about liking them. It was about understanding them. Trusting them. Respecting them. Something she had stopped doing with most people.

  Her advice was solid. She'd sounded so confident that it did not even cross his mind that she may be misinformed on the subject. She understood horses, respected them, something that the elf would've never thought to do on his own; he'd always considered their utility before their temperament and personality. Korie found himself stepping closer to the horse, a far more relaxed maneuver than the way he'd awkwardly reached out before. He placed a hand on his neck and felt his coarse fur, looking up at his black eye. It reminded him a little bit of his own.

  Lyra watched as Korie relaxed into the presence of the horse, finally adjusting his movements to something less rigid, less awkward. He was learning. She wasn’t sure why that thought pleased her, but it did. His earlier words still lingered in the air between them.

  Aurelian acknowledged him with a huff, a gesture that appeared friendly as he turned towards him a bit. It surprised him how quickly the beast had changed its tune; it was exactly as Lyra had described it. Horses had respect for the ones confident in their approach. "Alright, I've bothered him enough. I doubt he appreciates being stolen once more." He patted him once, twice before stepping away, letting his hand rest at his side as he moved his coat aside with the other, placing it on his hip.

  She pulled her gaze away as Korie stepped back from Aurelian, finally looking more comfortable. Lyra exhaled through her nose, glancing at Orion, rubbing slow circles into his neck. She could feel the tension still sitting in her chest, lingering there like an old wound that refused to fade. She wasn’t sure stopping was a good idea. Not for her, at least. Stopping meant thinking. And thinking meant—

  "I suppose we can camp here. It's far from dark, but we're a long way from the next city and we'll need the energy," Korie reasoned, tapping his cheek and pursing his lips.

  She clenched her jaw. No. Not now.

  "We can get started on a campfire and go from there. We've got... plenty of food, so that should be no issue," Korie looked at Lyra with a nod to her bag. The locals had donated so much to the royal guard. Really, an unnecessary amount. He couldn’t understand why people were so generous to nobles and those who didn’t need help, yet rarely spared anything for the homeless or poor who begged for coin.

  Korie went ahead and got started, setting down his pack in the central area of the clearing. "I'll look for some good sticks and stones for the fire," He volunteered. He gave her a nod and turned towards the forest, stepping out into the densely packed land once more. He craved a simple walk through the tree trunks, some space to think about and process everything while gathering the supplies they needed.

  Korie had started talking again and Lyra only just registered his words before he wandered off towards the forest. As Korie turned and disappeared into the treeline, Lyra found herself watching him go. Only a few days ago, he had been running from her. Not just in the way he had stolen the horse and fled - but in the way he had wanted nothing to do with her, nothing to do with anything she had to say. He had fought against her pursuit, dodged her every attempt to catch him, treating her presence as nothing more than a problem to be evaded. And now?

  Now, he walked ahead of her, not away. He left her with his horse, trusting that she would handle things. It wasn’t much, but it was something. Her gaze lingered on the spot where he had disappeared into the woods, her mind circling the same question she had been asking herself since this whole mess started.

  What had Tarek Nocturne done to him?

  What could have possibly happened between them that Korie had been willing to give up everything just to avoid even speaking his name? He had stolen a horse. Fled across the countryside. Thrown himself into criminality and pursuit, all because he did not want to talk about Tarek. Not evade, not mislead - outright refuse. Korie had danced around every question, shifted the conversation whenever it came close to the topic, but his silence spoke louder than anything else.

  Whatever had happened… it had left scars. She exhaled sharply, shaking the thought away as she turned her focus back to the horses. To be so afraid of someone, to be prepared to give up an entire life... Lyra wasn't entirely sure she wanted to know. So she turned toward Orion, running a slow, practiced hand down his flank. There was work to be done.

  She removed his saddle completely, setting it aside carefully before moving to his legs, checking his hooves, brushing away any dirt or small stones that might have worked their way in. She worked with calm precision, methodical in her movements. Taking care of Orion gave her something to focus on. It was a routine. A rhythm. It kept her present. As she worked, she muttered under her breath, barely more than a whisper, just for herself.

  "I guess I like horses, then."

  She ran a hand down Orion’s strong shoulder, feeling the solid, reassuring weight of him. Yes. She supposed she did.

  Lyra finished tending to Orion, running her fingers through his mane one last time before her gaze drifted toward Aurelian. Korie was still off gathering firewood, blissfully unaware that leaving a saddled horse to stand after a hard ride was a terrible idea. She sighed through her nose. Of course, he didn’t know. The elf had made it painfully clear that he knew nothing about horses, and she doubted that had changed in the last ten minutes. If left to his own devices, Aurelian would be standing here fully tacked for gods knew how long, stiff and sore, and that wasn’t something she could let happen.

  Moving with purpose, she crossed the clearing, stepping up to the stallion.

  "Well, someone has to take care of you," she muttered, reaching for his bridle.

  Aurelian huffed, flicking an ear toward her and Lyra pulled her hands back. He was regal, well-bred, with a refined temperament but he was still a stallion and stallions had opinions. Lyra knew that if Aurelian didn’t accept her presence, this would become difficult quickly. Horses weren’t fond of strangers fussing over them. So she worked with him, just as she had told Korie to do. She didn’t rush, didn’t force herself into his space. Instead, she let him acknowledge her, standing close but not demanding anything from him. The stallion snorted softly, eyeing her, assessing. Then, finally, he relaxed. That was permission enough.

  Lyra reached up, loosening the bridle, working the buckles free with practiced ease. Aurelian accepted the process without fuss, standing tall and still as she slid the bit from his mouth. Once his head was free, she moved onto the saddle. It was heavier than Orion’s - designed for nobility, made of fine leather with intricate details carved into its sides. Expensive.

  Lyra clicked her tongue. Of course. Nightbloom would have spared no expense on his prized stallion.

  She ran her fingers along Aurelian’s side, checking for heat spots, places where the saddle might have rubbed too much. A long ride at high speeds could cause soreness if the tack wasn’t adjusted properly. Sure enough, she found some tightness in his shoulders.

  She shook her head. "You’re lucky I was here, aren’t you?" she murmured to the stallion, sliding the saddle from his back and setting it down carefully on the grass. Aurelian exhaled heavily, shaking out his muscles, clearly grateful for the relief.

  Lyra ran a hand along his coat, brushing off the places where the saddle had pressed too tightly. The stallion leaned slightly into her touch, and she smirked. So, he was the type to appreciate attention.

  Satisfied with her work, she stepped back, watching as Aurelian stretched his neck, adjusting to the newfound comfort. Lyra dusted her hands off, exhaling. Korie might have stolen the horse, but Lyra would be damned if she let him ruin the stallion through sheer ignorance.

  "He's got a lot to learn," she muttered to herself, patting Aurelian on his nose. "We may make a horseman of him yet..."