We followed the elves for about ten minutes.

  With every step, the blizzard weakened.

  The snow beneath our feet grew softer.

  The dark forest, which moments ago had felt like a deadly labyrinth, suddenly became quiet — almost homely.

  And then — a valley opened before us.

  It was vast.

  Not like human cities of stone, but — like a part of the forest itself:

  giant trees with trunks as wide as houses,

  bridges of living branches,

  hanging platforms,

  rune-fireflies floating in the air,

  wooden homes that seemed to grow directly from the bark.

  By my estimate — about five hundred people.

  For a forest — that was nearly a kingdom.

  Even Norris stopped, stunned.

  Haras… did the opposite.

  His face, usually calm like stone, grew heavy — as if something old, personal, and painful had settled on his shoulders.

  I noticed it immediately.

  How do you know the elves?

  Norris stepped closer to me:

  — Zen…

  How do they know you?

  And you — them?

  I didn’t hide it:

  — I… lived among them for a short time.

  They saved me.

  Taught me magic.

  And… many other things.

  Finn whispered to Tara:

  — “Many other things” — like what?

  She elbowed him.

  We approached one of the central trees — enormous, like a pillar of the heavens.

  There was a door set into its trunk.

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  In front of it stood a young elf, about twenty by human standards — sharp-eared, slender, with eyes the color of mist.

  When he saw me, he nearly jumped — his ears literally twitched.

  He stepped forward and winked at me with one eye like an old friend:

  — What brings you here, Zenhald Helvard?

  I was about to answer, but he raised a hand:

  — Don’t. We already know.

  The human army is gathering to retake Dordwud.

  We exchanged glances.

  He continued:

  — The blizzard is no accident.

  The demons are strengthening the weather to slow the humans.

  If the army marches directly — half will die from the cold, not the blade.

  He looked at me more softly:

  — We are grateful to you, Zenhald.

  You did much for our children.

  You and your companions are permitted to rest here as long as needed.

  I was about to thank him when Norris knelt beside me.

  — I ask not for myself, — he said. —

  But for the people.

  Your forest is one day’s march from Dordwud.

  If you shelter our army even briefly…

  If you allow us to set up a temporary headquarters —

  we will avoid enormous losses.

  The elf slowly shifted his gaze to Haras.

  And something inside me clenched.

  The elf narrowed his eyes:

  — You…

  The white mountain of a man.

  The elf trader.

  The one who once sold our people into cages.

  Haras stopped breathing.

  — And you ask for help?

  — After what your people did?

  — After what you did?

  And then something happened that no one expected.

  Haras dropped to one knee.

  Then both.

  And bowed his head.

  He — a giant who could smash a tree with his shoulder — became small.

  — I… am guilty, — he whispered.

  His voice trembled.

  The elves around us raised their brows — even they hadn’t expected this.

  Haras continued:

  — When I was young…

  I didn’t know the value of other lives.

  I killed. I sold. I laughed.

  Until I myself became a slave…

  He clenched his fists.

  — That’s where I learned.

  What pain means.

  What fear means.

  What it means to pray that someone — anyone — will show mercy.

  The blizzard beyond the door faded into silence.

  — I became different.

  I do not ask forgiveness for myself.

  After the war — execute me if you wish.

  But I ask you…

  help the people now.

  Without you…

  we will not defeat the demons.

  Even the air in the chamber trembled.

  Norris said:

  — If we keep tearing open old wounds, the demons will win.

  Over elves and humans alike.

  Over everyone.

  The elf was silent for a long time.

  Then he said:

  — I will contact the Council of Branches.

  The answer will come by evening.

  He turned:

  — Wait here.

  And went up the spiral stairs.

  We stood in silence.

  I looked at Haras.

  At his eyes.

  There was so much pain in them that I knew — he wasn’t pretending.

  Norris exhaled:

  — If the elves agree…

  we’ll have a chance.

  — And if they don’t? — Finn asked.

  — Then… we march through the blizzard alone.

  And half the army will freeze on the way.

  I drew a deeper breath.

  We waited for the answer.

  And hoped.

  With every heartbeat — more and more.