The bells struck with a muffled clang exactly at midnight. Outside the protective stone walls, the temperature had plummeted.

Nila walked beside Kaelen down the narrow, unlit logging path that cut through the darkness of the northern ravine. She wore her thick leather training trousers, heavy winter riding boots, and the dark fox-fur cloak Kaelen had given her on the watchtower.

Beside her, Kaelen moved with silent, long strides, his heavy black tactical cloak draped back over his shoulders to keep his right hand free near the hilt of his short sword. He didn't look back to check her footing; he trusted her to keep the pace, his hazel eyes...