“Commander Stormwind, you said the weather can turn quickly,” Kat ventured.
“Aye, that it can,” Commander Stormwind said.
His voice was deep and warm, with that distinctive northern burr.
“We’re heading into autumn now, and the northern passes can see snow as early as next month.
But we should reach Blackwoods well before then.” He leaned back slightly, his hand resting on the pommel of his sword in a gesture that seemed more habit than threat.
“Theron wants you safely settled before winter sets in proper.”
Theron.
Her future husband.
“What is he like?” Kat asked before she could stop herself.
“Theron, I mean.
Is he…
is he truly as they say?”
Renna and Commander Stormwind exchanged a glance, and something passed between them—some shared understanding that Kat couldn’t read.
“Depends on what they say in the South,” Commander Stormwind said carefully.
“If they call him the Shadow Lord and spin tales of monsters and dark magic, then no.
He’s not like that at all.”
“Then what is he like?”
Commander Stormwind considered for a moment, choosing his words carefully.
“He’s a good man.
A hard man, but a good one.
He expects much from those who serve him, but he gives much in return.
Loyalty, protection, fairness.
He doesn’t suffer fools or liars, but if you’re honest with him, he’ll treat you well.”
It was similar to what Kat had hoped to hear, but the reality of it—spoken by someone who actually knew Theron—made it feel more real.
More possible.
“I’ll try to be a good wife,” Kat said quietly.
“I’ll do my duty.
I won’t cause trouble.”
Renna studied her for a long moment, her dark eyes sharp and assessing.
“Lady Ashford, can I speak plainly?”
“Please,” Kat said.
“Theron doesn’t need a doormat.
He needs a partner.
Someone who can stand beside him, not just behind him.
The North is harsh, and Blackwoods is a warrior’s keep.
You’ll need to be stronger than you look if you’re going to survive there.”
The words should have been discouraging, but instead, Kat felt something stir inside her—that same spark of hope that had flickered to life when her father had announced the betrothal.
“I’m stronger than I look,” she said, and was surprised to find she meant it.
“I’ve survived twenty years in that house.
I can survive the North.”
For the first time, Renna smiled—a small, fierce expression that transformed her face.
“Good.
Then you might do well after all.”
________________________________________
Commander Stormwind leaned forward slightly; his expression thoughtful.
“Lady Ashford, if I may—there’s something I’d like to discuss with you.
A matter of…
formality.”
“Of course, Commander,” Kat said.
“In the North, we’re less formal than you’re accustomed to in the South.
Titles and ranks matter in official settings, but in daily life, we tend to use given names among those we trust.” He paused.
“I’d be honored if you’d call me Aldric.
‘Commander’ feels too distant for someone I’ll be traveling with for the next fortnight.”
The request surprised her.
In her family’s household, such informality would have been unthinkable.
But then, everything about the North seemed to be different from what she’d known.
“I…
if you’re certain, Commander—Aldric,” she corrected herself, the name feeling strange on her tongue.
“I am,” he said with a warm smile.
“And you, Renna?”
“Renna is fine, my lady,” the warrior woman said.
“I’ve never been one for formality.”
Kat hesitated, then took a breath.
If they were offering this gesture of friendship, perhaps she could offer one in return.
“Then…
Not Lady Ashford.
Just…
Kat.
It’s what I’ve always preferred, though no one—” She stopped, not wanting to explain how her family had insisted on ‘Katriana’ as though even her name needed to be formal and distant.
Aldric and Renna exchanged another glance, and something passed between them—approval, perhaps.
“Kat it is, then,” Renna said.
But Aldric shook his head slightly, his expression thoughtful.
“With respect, my la—Kat—you’ll be the Lady of Blackwoods when you marry Theron.
The people there will need to see you as their lady, not just as Kat.
It’s a matter of respect, of position.”
Kat felt her heart sink slightly.
Of course.
Even here, even in the North, she would still be defined by title and duty.
“However,” Aldric continued, “there’s no reason we can’t find a middle ground.
In private, among friends, we can call you Kat.
But in public, when others are present, we’ll call you Lady Kat.
It acknowledges your position while still honoring your preference.
Does that seem fair?”
Kat considered this.
It was more than she’d ever had before—the freedom to be herself, at least in private.
And the compromise showed respect for both her wishes and her future role.
“Yes,” she said softly.
“That seems…
that seems very fair.
Thank you, Aldric.”
“Lady Kat it is, then,” Renna said with a decisive nod.
“In public, at least.
Suits you better than ‘Lady Ashford’ anyway.”
Aldric nodded approvingly.
“Theron will appreciate that spirit.
He values strength—not just physical strength, but strength of character.
The ability to endure, to adapt, to face challenges head-on.” He paused, then added more gently, “He’s had his share of hardship, Lady Kat.
He understands what it means to survive difficult circumstances.
I think you’ll find him more sympathetic than you might expect.”
They stopped briefly at midday to rest the horses and take a quick meal.
Commander Stormwind dismounted first, then helped both Kat and Renna down from the carriage.
His expression was concerned as he studied Kat’s face.
“How are you faring, Kat?” he asked.
“The roads are rough.
If you need to stop more frequently—”
“I’m fine, Aldric,” Kat assured him.
“Truly.
I’m more resilient than I appear.”
Something that might have been approval flickered in his eyes.
“Good.
We’ll make camp tonight at an inn about twenty miles north of here.
It’s a decent establishment—clean, safe, with good food.
You’ll have a proper bed and a hot meal.”
“Thank you, Aldric.
You’ve been very kind.”
He shook his head, the beads in his braids clicking softly with the movement.
“Just doing my duty, miss.
The Archduke entrusted me with your safety.
I intend to see you delivered to Blackwoods in good health and spirits.”
Aldric gestured to a fallen log near the roadside, partially shaded by the towering pines.
“Why don’t you and Renna sit and eat?
I’ll check on the horses and the men.”
Renna guided Kat to the makeshift seat, then settled beside her with easy familiarity.
From a leather satchel, she produced dried meat, cheese, hard bread, and a flask of water.
She divided the portions between them, handing Kat her share.
Kat ate slowly, watching as Aldric moved among the guards, speaking in low tones.
The mounted warriors remained alert and watchful, their long-maned horses stamping impatiently.
“They’re good men,” Renna said, following Kat’s gaze.
“Loyal.
Aldric handpicked every one of them for this journey.”
“Have you served with them long?” Kat asked.
“Most of them, aye.
A few years now.” Renna took a drink from the flask, then offered it to Kat.
“We’ve seen our share of battles together.
They’re like brothers to me.”
Kat accepted the water gratefully.
There was something comforting about sitting here with Renna, sharing a simple meal like equals.
No servants hovering, no family members watching with disapproval.
Just two women eating together on the side of a road.
“You’re different from what I expected,” Kat said quietly.
Renna raised an eyebrow.
“How so?”
“I’ve never known anyone like you.
A woman warrior.
Someone so…
free.”
Renna’s expression softened.
“In the North, women can be whatever they’re strong enough to be.
Warriors, traders, leaders.
No one cares about your sex if you can do the job.” She paused, studying Kat.
“You’ll find it different there.
Better, I think.”
Kat found herself studying Renna in return—these northern warriors who moved with such confidence and purpose.
They were so different from the soft, pampered nobles of the southern courts.
There was no pretense about them, no false courtesy or hidden cruelty.
They simply were what they were: soldiers, protectors, people who valued strength and honesty above all else.
Perhaps she could learn to be like that.
Perhaps in the North, she could finally stop hiding.
And Renna, wearing her trousers as naturally as breathing, her hair decorated with leather and metal, her sword hanging at her hip—she was everything Kat had never been allowed to be.
Strong.
Free.
Unashamed.
When they resumed their journey, the landscape grew even more dramatic.
The gentle hills had given way to true mountains now—not the towering peaks of the far North, but substantial enough that the road wound back and forth in switchbacks, climbing steadily higher.
The forests here were dense and dark, filled with ancient pines that blocked out much of the sunlight.
Kat could hear the calls of unfamiliar birds, the rustle of unseen creatures in the underbrush.
Once, she thought she saw a deer watching them from between the trees—larger and darker than the southern variety, with massive antlers that seemed to catch the filtered light.
“We’re in the borderlands now,” Renna said, noticing Kat’s interest.
“Not quite North, not quite South.
The land here belongs to no lord—it’s wild territory, claimed only by those strong enough to hold it.”
“Is it dangerous?” Kat asked.
“It can be.
Bandits sometimes, though they rarely trouble armed parties like ours.
Wolves in winter.
Bears, if you’re unlucky.” Renna’s hand rested on her sword hilt.
“But we’ve made this journey dozens of times.
We know the safe routes, the good camping spots, where to find fresh water.
You’re safe with us, miss.”
Kat believed her.
There was something reassuring about Renna’s calm competence, about the way she and Commander Stormwind and the guards moved with such practiced efficiency.
These were people who knew what they were doing, who had survived far worse than a simple journey north.