Finn led Amara through hidden paths amongst the forest. She admired his light steps and cautious demeanor as they crept past hosts of foul beasts that moved silently through the snow drifts. Amara tugged at the extra cloak around her as she wondered how much further they had.

A large, grey rock face jutted out past the tree line, answering Amara’s unspoken question. Underneath the face of the mountain were harsh, jagged lines that signaled the presence of humans. The stonework held none of the delicacies of Dwarven work nor the industry of Kobolds, but still, it suggested safety in the same vicious way that howls of a wolf promise unrest.

“Malton Keep, my lady,'“ Finn said with a flourish and a wink. His back straightened as he walked out of the forest towards the sentry post nestled over the giant oak gate. “I’ve returned with a courtier— she’s to speak to Lord Malton at once.” A silence greeted Finn as Amara looked for hidden spots among the walls. This keep had been built to sustain a lengthy siege. She wondered how often those arose in the North— and hoped not to find out. She had experienced enough of those under the command of King Relwelys.

“Amara… either the guards got into the mead or something isn’t right. We need to check the West gate.” Amara tightened her grip on the short sword at her side and followed Finn along the tree line towards the wall section that met the mountain. “Ho, there! Men of the keep, I come barring a courtier for the Lord,” Finn shouted at another abandoned guard post. His face tightened as he looked around for any signs of disturbance. He found none— the torches flickered in the wind along with the blue and gold banner depicting a snarling badger— the crest of house Malton.

“Finn, where are your guards? How long has it been since you’ve returned to the keep?”

“I’ve been out ranging for a week or two, nothing out of the normal for me. Father would never pull guards from the gate. Not even during celebrations. There’s something wrong— There aren’t any tracks at the gates. It had to come from inside. We’ll have to scale the walls.” Amara looked up at the tall slabs of rock in front of her.

“Is there another way in?”

“If there were, Malton keep wouldn’t be known as the impenetrable fortress of the North.”

“No one in the realm calls it that. Frankly, hardly anyone remembers the house of Malton these days. Let alone your ‘impenetrable’ keep,” Amara said. Finn shook his head before giving her another grin.

“We’ll see if I can change that before this is all done,” he said, unspooling the length of rope coiled inside his bag. He affixed a silver clamp to the end and sent it over the wall. It caught somewhere among the stone, and he gave it a couple of tugs to ensure it was taut. “Ladies first?”

“I’ll let the lordling go over the wall first. It is your home. You do want to ensure a proper welcome for honored guests, right?”

“Thought I’d at least try,” he said with a wink. He hoisted himself up the rope and quickly scaled the wall before pulling himself over the lip. He disappeared from view, leaving Amara alone in the open. A slow tickle worked its way up her spine as she felt eyes in the forest settle on her. She made sure not to move too quickly— can’t let a predator know you’re scared.

“Anytime, your lordship,” she called up the wall. Finn peeked over, but his face was pinched with fear. He looked down at Amara and then into the forest behind her. His eyes bugged open, and he hissed at her to start climbing. Amara jumped up and inched her way up the rope as the sound of heavy footsteps whipped across the snow. She saw Finn grab the rope and begin pulling, and she continued to climb— they met halfway as he snatched at her arms and dragged her over the wall. They collapsed in a pile, breathing heavily.

“This is not good. The beasts of Kith are roaming.”

“The beasts of Kith? Is that what was behind me? A fairytale monster?”

Finn grabbed Amara’s hands and looked into her eyes— eyes he noticed held the gold flecks of Vetari natives. Something he’d remember later. “It means she has stepped back onto the mortal plane. None of us are safe while her beasts roam. They’re looking for something—someone. You won’t be able to return until they are killed or depart. Whatever it is, it goes far beyond your message to my father. The king must know of the danger to the realm,” He let out a sigh, “Even though he won’t believe it. No one believes the old magic still exists.”

“And you do?” She asked as the snow fell around them.

“I don’t want to. But I’ve seen her. Kith walks amongst the mortal realm— and none are safe from her wrath.”