Page 48 of Destiny of a King

They should have reached more familiar ground by now. Instead, the forest appeared endless, each snow-covered ridge giving way to another exactly like it.

He searched for some familiar landmark—a stream, an outcropping of stone, the ancient pines that grew close to the castle—but the storm had erased every point of reference beneath its white blanket.

Perhaps it would have been wiser to remain in the cottage another day. The thought came reluctantly and it was unlike him to question a decision once it had been made. Yet the storm had proven fiercer than he had anticipated.

More troubling still, there were no signs of his warriors and no fresh hoofprints crossed their path. No smoke curled above the trees from a cottage, nor were voices heard.

The forest had fallen strangely silent, as though every trace of human life had vanished beneath the storm.

The horse fought for every step, its hooves sinking deep before it struggled free to continue. More than once, it slipped on a patch of ice hidden beneath the fresh drifts, forcing Dravic to steady both horse and rider.

A shiver coursed through Adira, and he tightened his arm around her instinctively.

Another followed, and he scowled again. Even tucked securely against him beneath his cloak, sheltered from the biting wind, she continued to tremble.

The cold was winning.

His gaze swept through the snow-covered forest. They needed shelter, and soon. Another few hours in the saddle could prove dangerous for them both.

The horse fought through another stretch of deep snow before Dravic reined him to a halt.

Ahead, the wind had carved the drifts differently. Instead of towering banks, the snow lay shallower between the trees, winding through the forest in a narrow ribbon as though countless feet had packed it down before the storm buried it.

It was as if nature had carved a path just for them.

He turned the animal toward it and urged him forward.

The way proved easier, the horse finding firmer footing beneath the thinner blanket of snow. Even so, the forest seemed unwilling to release them. The path twisted between ancient pines, curved around rocky outcroppings, then climbed steadily over one ridge only to descend into another hollow.

Time slipped by and Dravic began to wonder if the trail led anywhere at all.

Then something stirred on the cold air.

He lifted his head and sniffed. He caught the unmistakable scent of roasting meat.

Relief settled over him, tempered immediately by caution. Where there was food, there were people.

He slowed the horse, allowing his gaze to search ahead while he kept his hand near the hilt of his sword.

The trees gradually thinned and it wasn’t long before Dravic spotted a small village tucked quietly among the snow-covered hills.

Relief eased some of the tension from his shoulders.

Thin ribbons of smoke curled from stone chimneys, while the inviting scent of roasting meat grew stronger with each step the horse took. After hours surrounded by nothing but snow and forest, the sight of homes and the promise of warmth was welcome indeed.

He slowed the horse as they entered the village.

Children bundled in wool cloaks paused in their play to watch the strangers pass. A woman carrying a basket offered a polite nod before continuing on her way, while a pair of men stacking firewood spared them little more than a curious glance.

No one appeared alarmed by travelers riding into their village. Nor did anyone show the slightest sign of recognizing him.

Dravic preferred it that way. He had no desire to announce himself until he learned where the storm had carried them.

Another shiver rippled through Adira.

He drew the horse to a halt before a two-story building, a sign above the door reading, Skellie’s Inn. Its chimney poured a steady stream of smoke into the crisp winter air along with the mouthwatering scent of roasted meat.

Before he could dismount, the door opened.