The climb into the Whisperwind Peaks tested every step. Twisted creatures hunted by night, and the wind howled like mourning spirits. Once, Lyra nearly slipped on a shale slope, but Bram caught her, breathless and pale.
"This mountain wants our bones," he muttered.
Each day cost them. One warrior was taken by a tree that bled black sap. Another vanished mid-watch, no sound, no sign. They left cairns when they could. Sometimes just a prayer and a name.
Kai felt the weight of their stares. He knew what they whispered behind him, a wild man, some said. A ghost king, others guessed.
But the forest had taught him to hear what wasn't spoken.
That night, camped beneath a jut of stone shaped like a wolf's head, Bram approached him.
The boy scratched at the leather straps of his armor, hesitant. "You really didn't grow up around people, huh?"
Kai glanced up. "Just the forest."
Bram chuckled nervously. "Right. So… was it true? Did you eat raw squirrels and howl at the moon?"
Kai's lips twitched. "No. I cooked the squirrels."
That got a laugh, short, surprised.
"I'm sorry," Bram said quickly. "It's just… we heard stories. A beast with a crown. I guess I thought you'd be more... I dunno. Savage."
Kai poked the fire with a stick, sparks jumping like startled fireflies. "The forest raised me. It taught me to listen. To endure. To fight when I must. But it didn't teach cruelty. That's a man's lesson."
Bram looked away, jaw clenched. "My brother was tortured by one of Sgaazoz's tax lords. For hiding bread. Cruelty's all I know."
Kai studied him. "Then we'll teach each other something better."
Silence fell, but it was not awkward. Just quiet.
Then Bram said softly, "You're not what I expected. You're more."
By dusk on the fourth day, the peaks cut the sky like jagged knives. The forest gave way to wind-scoured rock, and the air thinned until every breath burned. They came upon a narrow ridge that led to a stone gate carved directly into the mountain's side. A single flame flickered in a brazier above it, signal or sentinel, Kai wasn't sure.
From the shadow of the cliffs, warriors emerged. Their armor was mismatched, fur, metal, old bone, but they moved in tight formation, weapons drawn.
Kai stepped forward instinctively, posture tall. Lyra walked beside him, hand near her dagger.
A woman broke ranks and strode toward them. Silver hair braided into a thick rope, cloak snapping like a banner in the alpine wind.
"I am Anya," she said. "Leader of this rebellion. You bring the forest man?"
Kai met her eyes. "I am Kai."
Anya looked him over. Her expression never changed. "You're not what I expected."
"I get that a lot," Kai said.
Lyra stepped in. "He's the heir. I've seen what he can do. So has Valthyr."
Anya's eyes flicked between them. "Can you lead men? Rally cities?"
"No," Kai said. "But I can kill monsters and survive where others fall. And I'm learning fast."
That earned the faintest of nods. "Come in, then. Let the mountain judge you."
The gates creaked open, revealing a hidden village nestled in stone and mist. Smoke curled from narrow chimneys. Children peeked from behind barrels. A hammer rang in the forge.
It smelled of sweat, iron, and hope.