"Then tell me why you sent for me," Kael demanded, his jaw hardening as the tension in the cold room tightened. "I did not ride through a blizzard to trade memories about my father."Alden turned toward the small wooden table beside the hearth, where a silver pitcher of warm spiced wine sat beside two clay cups. He poured the drink with a trembling hand, pushing one cup across the rough timber toward Kael."I sent for you because you have people you wish to keep breathing," Alden said, his voice dropping into a low, persuasive tone. "I know about Lily, the daughter of Jared who lies sick in your sanctuary."Kael felt a sharp, cold jolt strike his ribs, his hands clenching into tight fists inside his wool pockets. "If your agents touch a single hair on that girl's head, Alden, there is no stone wall in Valoria that will keep you safe.""I did not bring up her name as a threat, Kael," Alden replied smoothly, holding up his thin hand to calm the young man’s rising anger. "The girl is dyin

"The old healer Maren gave her sweet pine broth before we left the gate," Kira said, checking the bowstring on her hunting bow. "She is sleeping peacefully under the blankets."They reached the frozen plateau of the White Peak by midday, where the howling wind had swept the dark granite stones clear of snow. Rising out of the rocky ridge stood the ancient shrine, carved from massive blocks of white marble that shone like polished bone.At the center of the marble facade stood a massive stone door, carved with the image of a blazing sun rising over three mountain peaks. A deep circular socket sat at the center of the door, completely covered in thick layers of blue mountain ice."The outer barrier is locked with ancient magic," Alden said, stepping down from his carriage with the help of his gray-cloaked guards. "No iron pick or royal hammer has ever scratched that white stone."Kael stepped up to the massive doorway, feeling the divine heat in his chest pulse with sudden, joyful recogn

The guards exhaled in audible relief, immediately pulling their spear tips back and stepping aside to clear the narrow corridor. They had no desire to test whether the young blacksmith's golden fire could burn through bronze breastplates.Kael guided his companions out of the central altar room, stepping into the wide, shadowy vestibule of the outer shrine. The air here was colder, cooled by the winter wind that blew through the high marble entryway."He let us go," Ren whispered, wiping cold sweat from his bearded chin as he lowered his heavy wood axe. "I thought for sure we were going to paint that white altar red with royal guts.""He let us go because he is not an idiot, Ren," Kira said, letting her bowstring relax with a soft twang. "If he attacked Kael in that room, none of his six guards would have walked out of the mountain alive.""It is more than that, Kira," Kael said, stopping in the center of the outer hall beneath the shadow of a massive stone arch. "Alden did not spare u

"We should take these documents and march straight back into that temple hall, Kael," Brand urged, his gray eyes blazing with furious hatred. "We throw these royal decrees in Alden’s face and let his own guards see what kind of bloodline they are serving!""And what will that achieve, Brand?" Kael asked, looking up from the yellowed vellum with calm, solemn eyes. "Will shouting ancient crimes at an old king bring those dead children back to life?""It will give us a reason to draw our steel and take vengeance for your father!" Ren barked, stepping up to the box with his fists clenched tight. "The crown deserves to burn for what they did to your family!""Vengeance is a fire that eats the man who holds the torch, Ren," Kael answered firmly, shaking his head without a single trace of hesitation. "I will not let history become an excuse for us to turn into butchers.""They hunted your father like a stray dog, Kael!" Kira said, her voice trembling with the deep, protective love she carried

"Rage is a cheap fuel that burns out before the winter ends, Kira," Kael replied, sliding the parchment safely inside his woolen coat. "We have living people in our sanctuary who need flour and medicine; I cannot waste my strength on ancient bitterness."By the middle of the afternoon, the towering dark battlements of Iron Gate Fortress rose out of the snowy mountain valleys before them. The and bronze banners of Draevorn fluttered proudly in the crisp gale, welcoming the small caravan toward the open outer gates.Lady Miran, Lord Brant, and Elder Oros were already assembled in the Great Hall, standing near the roaring granite hearth as Kael's delegation entered. The council lords looked at Kael with a strange mixture of profound relief and lingering apprehension."Our mountain sentries saw the blinding flash of dawn light over the White Peak at noon, Kael," Lady Miran said, leaning upon her carved ivory staff. "Tell this council what transpired when your boots crossed the threshold o