They reached Athax long after the city had gone to sleep.
The gates opened on a signal lantern and the quiet authority of familiar voices. No horns. No announcement. Just iron shifting in the dark and boots on stone.
Aya barely lifted her head.
Killan felt it before he saw it - the way her grip loosened on the reins, the slight tilt of her shoulders as if the effort of sitting upright had finally exceeded whatever stubborn force had carried her this far.
Vignir was there, shadowed by torchlight, his expression tightening the moment he saw them. He took in Seth first - half-conscious between two guards - and then Aya.
"Inside," Vignir said, already moving. "I'll call for help."
They moved quickly then. Efficiently. Seth was taken the moment they crossed the inner ward, hands already reaching, voices low and urgent. Aya dismounted more slowly, swaying once before Killan caught her by the arm.
"I'm fine," she said automatically.
She was not.
