The sun had not yet risen when Norris woke us.

  He stood in the doorway, lit by the pale glow of early dawn, and spoke in the kind of voice usually used to deliver only one message — time was up.

  — Get up. Recon today. How many people survive tomorrow’s assault depends on it.

  I barely got to my feet — my muscles ached after Seteya’s training as if I’d been beaten with a sack of stones. Every step was torture.

  As I went downstairs, my legs trembled so badly they nearly gave out.

  If this keeps up, I’ll crawl to the demon border instead of walking…

  And then I remembered.

  Healing.

  A small pulse of mana passed through my body — and it was as if the heavy fog of exhaustion burned away. My legs felt light again.

  Finn noticed it and, without any hesitation, came over:

  — Hey! Hey! Do that to me too!

  I placed a hand on him — and he exhaled as if thirty kilograms had been lifted off his shoulders.

  A minute later, EVERYONE was standing in line — even Haras, who looked like someone physically incapable of getting tired.

  — Me too, — he said, as casually as if asking for salt rather than magic.

  As I sent warmth into the giant’s muscles, I thought only one thing:

  Thank the gods they don’t know what I’m really doing…

  Seteya was waiting for us downstairs.

  We approached her as a full group — and Finn, naturally, asked:

  — So… where did you disappear to yesterday?

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  Seteya yawned, rubbed her neck, thought for a couple of seconds, then replied lazily:

  — Adult business. Kids don’t need to know.

  We exchanged glances. But asked no questions.

  After breakfast, we headed to the stables.

  And there — I saw him.

  Noxus.

  He stepped out of the stall himself, as if he had been waiting for me.

  I walked up and gave him an apple.

  He nudged me lightly with his nose, and I heard:

  — Finally. I was starting to think you forgot about me.

  The others heard only a quiet neigh.

  We led all the horses outside. The cold air burned our faces. The wind grew stronger with every step — Norris said it would be worse closer to Dordwut.

  And he was right — by midday, a real blizzard began.

  The wind felt as if it wanted to throw us out of the saddle.

  Noxus complained every five minutes:

  — Hey… Zen… what is this? I’m not a northern wolf!

  — Horses grow thicker coats in winters like this. Fat layers too…

  — This is my first winter like this! I’M FREEZING!

  I laughed. Internally. So as not to offend him.

  Most of us already knew the most basic fire magic.

  At stops, we warmed our hands and clothes with small fireballs. Elinia held up better than anyone — but even she was shivering.

  We made frequent rests so the horses wouldn’t collapse from exhaustion.

  Each time, I built small shelters of snow and ice for us. Simple, but sturdy — enough to keep the wind from ripping the heat away.

  Haras touched the walls a couple of times and said:

  — Traveling with mages is pleasant.

  — When you learn to make beer, it’ll be perfect.

  — Later… — I said.

  — I’ll remember that, — he replied seriously.

  The wind became unbearable.

  Every snowflake struck the face like a needle. Breathing was hard. Visibility — two meters.

  Noxus stopped and raised his head:

  — Even for horses this is too much. I can’t see anything.

  And then something strange happened.

  A tree appeared in front of us.

  Just — out of nowhere. A massive trunk blocking the path and… the wind died down.

  We looked up — and I involuntarily thought:

  Elves…

  And immediately — shadows.

  Five silhouettes flashed between the trunks.

  So fast and light that even Haras narrowed his eyes.

  Norris instantly shouted:

  — Careful! Possibly demons! Defensive positi—

  But I had already jumped off my horse.

  — ZENHALD!! — he roared. — WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!

  I drew in the cold air.

  And shouted:

  — ELVES! IT’S ME! ZENHALD HELVARD!

  The world froze.

  The wind dropped to zero.

  Snow fell straight down.

  And then three figures stepped out of the forest.

  Tall. Slender. Alert.

  Their eyes looked straight into mine. Not at my clothes. Not at my sword. But directly at my face. As if verifying something.

  They approached in silence.

  Stared for a long time.

  Then one of them nodded — briefly, almost imperceptibly.

  And said a single word:

  — Follow us.