The walk was long, the forest stretching endlessly around them, shadows twisting with the whisper of wind through the leaves. Every step felt like an eternity, the weight of their situation pressing heavily upon them. Rubin kept a firm grip on Himu, supporting him as they trudged forward. The prince’s breaths were ragged, his steps unsteady, but he pushed on, determination burning in his silver eyes.

Elara moved ahead, glancing back every so often, her expression shifting between urgency and deep concern. The distant horns had faded, but the sense of danger lingered like a thick fog in the air. When they finally reached the cabin, hidden away beyond the thick underbrush and towering trees, she paused, scanning their surroundings.

“What’s wrong, Elara?” Rubin asked, adjusting his hold on Himu as they reached the wooden steps. The cabin loomed before them, its weathered structure blending seamlessly with the surrounding forest.

“Nothing… I just—” she hesitated, eyes flickering toward the trees. “Come on, we have to get inside before the guards start searching the land.”

Rubin didn’t question her further. He helped Himu up the steps, nearly carrying him now as his strength waned. Elara pushed the door open, and the old wood groaned under her touch. Inside, the air was stale but safe, the faint scent of herbs and aged timber filling the space. The room was simple—wooden chairs, a stone fireplace, a table scattered with dust, and a narrow staircase leading to a loft above.

Rubin eased Himu into a chair, watching as the prince winced but said nothing. Elara disappeared into the back rooms, the sound of drawers opening and closing filling the silence before she returned with a bundle of medical supplies.

“Lift your shirt,” she ordered, her voice firm as she sat beside him.

Himu hesitated. His silver eyes met hers, a flicker of guarded emotion passing through them before he finally obeyed. He grasped the hem of his torn, bloodstained shirt and lifted it, revealing the full extent of the wound beneath.

Rubin sucked in a sharp breath. The gash was worse than he had imagined—deep, jagged, and still oozing dark crimson. The dried blood around it had cracked, and the bruising spread like ink beneath his pale skin.

Elara didn’t flinch. She immediately tore strips of clean cloth and soaked them in an herbal solution before pressing them gently against the wound. Himu tensed, his jaw tightening, but he didn’t make a sound.

“You should’ve let me handle this sooner,” she muttered, dabbing away the dried blood. “You’re lucky the blade didn’t go any deeper. If it had hit anything vital, you wouldn’t have made it this far.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Himu rasped, his smirk weak but present.

Rubin rolled his eyes. “You’re bleeding all over the place, and you still have time to be arrogant.”

Himu let out a shallow chuckle, but it was cut short by a wince. Elara ignored them both, focusing on her work. She applied a thick layer of medicinal paste before wrapping the wound tightly with bandages.

“Try not to move too much,” she instructed. “You’ve lost a lot of blood.”

Himu leaned back against the chair, exhaustion evident in his posture. “Noted.”

Rubin moved toward the window, peering through the wooden slats. The forest outside was still, but that didn’t mean they were safe. “We can’t stay here too long,” he murmured. “The guards will start searching soon. If they come this way—”

“We’ll hear them before they get close,” Elara interrupted. “This place is far enough from the main roads. And besides…” she hesitated, glancing at Himu. “We need a plan before we run again.”

Rubin turned back to face them, arms crossed. “Alright. Let’s start with the obvious. We’re harboring an enemy prince. What exactly are we supposed to do with him?”

Himu opened his mouth, but Elara shot him a warning glance. “You need to rest,” she said firmly. “We’ll talk strategy when you’re strong enough to walk without collapsing.”

Himu sighed, but he didn’t argue. His body sagged slightly, exhaustion claiming him faster than he wanted to admit.

“I’ll take the first watch,” Rubin offered, grabbing his dagger and moving toward the door. “Just in case.”

Elara nodded, staying by Himu’s side as he drifted into uneasy sleep. The fire crackled in the hearth, filling the cabin with a dim, flickering light. Outside, the night stretched on, and the distant echoes of the past war still seemed to whisper in the wind.

They had bought themselves time.

But the real fight was only just beginning.