Published at 21st of June 2023 08:01:02 AM

With Aden successfully persuaded and fully spent, the two of them curled up together on the bed.

You cant wake up before me, she warned him, though she knew she had little hope of stopping him from sacrificing sleep for work. We can go to the ruin later when we have more time. If youre too busy now, just focus on work.

Were ready, he reassured her with a kiss.

A few days later, they headed to the ruins. The Delrose scouts investigated the area, with the official explanation that it was routine scouting of the southwest. They confirmed the area was secure and no threats were in evidence.

The southeastern area is generally unsuited to the monsters, Idith said as he gave his report in Adens office. Its close to the warm region, and the snow is usually weak there.

That was critical. Monsters liked cold weather. And now it was January warmer weather, by the standards of the winter region. All the better for their expedition.

And there was no threat in the ruins? Aden asked.

We checked and there was no sign of any living being. And there were no recent structures or other signs of activity, Idith responded.

Empty and abandoned as it was in the foresight.Aden nodded.

Well done, he said. Make sure to keep an eye on outside news while Im out of the mansion.

Idith flinched at the idea.

Youre not planning to bring guards with you? he asked.

Just Etra, Aden said. He couldnt bring an entire entourage like he did on the trip to the warm region. Though it was still dangerous to travel with just a few guards in the winter region.

Having Idith along would have helped Aden knew his abilities in battle well but he wasnt planning to take him. He held up a hand, preemptively stifling Idiths objection.

I need someone to keep an eye on the Mille, he said. It was about time for them to reach out to the Yesters. The monsters had been laying low for a while and would surely try to resurrect their diminished tribe before February brought warmer weather. Theyd have no choice but to contact the Milles elder.

As you order, Idith said.

Then to the ruins, Aden said, sighing as he stood. He remembered what hed seen of them in the dream. He was eager to see the engravings in person.

If Miltons could see the future, would that future be on the wall along with the past? Could it hold a way to bring back summer?

Aden quickly walked to meet Ilyin, Idith bowing as Aden left.

The area to the southeast, where the Miltons had once lived, seemed to have curiously little snow. The unusual warmth in the winter region left Ilyin a bit flustered. The weather was so strangely mild here.

Its . . . its like the warm region here, she said.

Aden laughed at that. It was, of course, still much colder than anywhere in the warm region. But his wife was becoming accustomed to the northern cold, and by comparison this place was a surprising reprieve.

Immediately after the Miltons had been defeated, he said, there had been talk of moving the mansion here.

Why didnt they? Ilyin asked. It seemed at first blush a preferable spot to place Biflten Mansion the wide field they were traversing had only a few large patches of snow, unlike the area around Biflten. The warmth here would be better for the humans and leave the monsters weaker to boot. Then, as she studied the terrain, it came to her.

Ah, she said. The ground is too flat here.

This spot might be warmer than the rest of the winter region, but it was still the winter region. If the monsters decided to stage an attack despite the warmth, this would be a bad place to try to defend. The flat ground gave them no natural barriers to use, no way to prevent being surrounded.

That, Aden said, nodding approvingly at his wifes insight, and it would leave the mansion much farther from the estates of the other houses.

Aden and Ilyin were sharing a horse as they rode across the field Aden had joined her on hers as soon as they were out of sight of the mansion, to keep her that much more insulated from even the milder cold here. His own horse followed dutifully behind them. With his explanation of why Biflten hadnt been moved, she responded with a simple Ah and a nod, then turned back to look at him.

Den, she said softly.

Yes? he answered.

Youre truly not too busy to be here? she asked. He nodded, as he had all the other times shed asked since theyd left the mansion.

Of course, he said. The knights were handling everything. There wasnt much of anything for me to do today, after we worked through the reports and papers last night.

Among other things, he thought. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead as if to say relax, my worrying bride.

Do you think it will take a long time to inspect the ruins? she asked. She remembered what she had seen in the dream. The dream had only shown them a few parts of the ruin. She had no idea how large the whole of it might be.

Aden shook his head.

According to the knights, its not that big, he remarked. I think what the dream showed us was the greatest part of it.

Then we should be heading back quickly, she said, with just a tinge of relief in her voice.

I expect well be back before sundown, Aden said with a laugh. The knights that were scouting the place have already returned, so well have peace and quiet. That should help us work quickly. Nonetheless, lets speed up a little.

He urged the horse on, and it quickened up to a trot across the field. Etra, whod been riding beside them, sped up as well, and the three of them took only a moment to reach the ruins.