Sebastian took a breath, a breath like he hadn't taken in moons. He stirred with eagerness, with the fresh air that filled his lungs and the cool breeze that ruffled his flattened hair. He didn't care about the green uniform sticking to his skin, instead embraced the drizzle coming from the skies. With every clop of the black stallion's hooves, every turn of the grey wooden wheels of Prince River's waggon, the white towers of Sunstone Castle shrunk until they had completely disappeared. The invisible shackles around his wrists loosened. No faint clanging of alarm bells in the distance, no riders chasing him. Free... at last.

Funny how easy it had been to get out of the castle with a powerful ally on the inside. Everything had worked according to Captain Jonathan's plan, from him throwing the biggest fit in the history of fits to chase Lady Viviane out of his chamber, to the old Captain fetching him with a bag of supplies over his shoulder. None of the usual Lieutenants guarding the halls had halted or questioned their superior. Why would they have? There had been nothing strange about him strolling through the castle with the Captain, receiving a lecture on the army bases alongside the border. River's departure had been an hour away.

After taking the largest possible detour, they had arrived at the tunnel leading to the stable where a pock-faced Lieutenant with braids for hair had replaced the current guard, a man with a permanent scowl on his face. Captain Jonathan had tossed Pockface a bag of coin, barking that—if questioned—he hadn't seen their Crown Prince all morning. 

Scowlface had been part of the scheme, introduced to him as the newly appointed Lieutenant Bart, Nick's old Patrol Leader. While Sebastian had changed into a regular uniform, two chipper lads of patrol seventeen had joined him in the tunnel, one brown-haired and one blond-haired soldier not much older than him. Dan and Eric. The other two supposed rascals that Bart had to escort to the base at Whitepeak. The two had assured him they would keep Nick—their Nicky—occupied on their way to the border.

Not that keeping Nick occupied had been a challenge, or hard work, for that matter. A single book in a strange language for the blind had done the trick to knock his friend out with a nasty bout of carriage sickness. As long as he was bellyaching as if he were dying from the plague, Sebastian didn't have to worry about Nick taking one of the cawing ravens from the cage in the back of the waggon to write Uncle Tom.

"Ian." Dan held a bloated goatskin in his outstretched hand. "Wanna drink?"

It took Sebastian a few blinks to realise the soldier meant him. 

Then without saying anything, he gave the stallion a soft kick and closed the distance between them. Still riding, he grabbed the goatskin and set it to his lips. After moons of drinking the purest juices, the fanciest teas, table ale, or fruit infused water, the ordinariness of the liquid was a blessing of the Goddess of Temperance.

Murmuring a quick thanks, he returned the goatskin, then slowed the horse down. As he retreated to his position at the right-back wheel of the waggon, he focussed on the road ahead, looking past River's gaze.

The man darted a few glances that turned into increasing longer stares. If there were any issues, Sebastian would remind the Prince he was Ician, and that the Icians knew nothing, saw nothing, and heard nothing. Foreign politics, diplomacy, and Uncle Tom be damned—this mission was important.

A high-pitched yip came from his left.

Sebastian bounced up high. He landed back in the saddle with a painful bang, missing the cadence of the horse's trot. From underneath the tarred canvas of the waggon poked Bear's furry white head, a playful spark in his marble eyes and in his mouth a piece of shredded, half-eaten paper. After some squirming and the scratching of nails, the pup placed his paws on the sideboard.

"Shoo," Sebastian tried.

Bear dropped the paper to the ground, the stallion instantly stomping it further into the earth. A bark that announced his excitement to jump out and retrieve his treasure.

"No..." Sebastian said, quietly but firmly. He didn't want to use his authority but saw no other choice; chaos would follow if Bear got out of the waggon.

Squeaking in disappointment, the pup cowered back.

"Good Bear," Sebastian mouthed.

"Yap, yap."

"Bear?" Nick groaned. "Bear, what's wrong? Where are you?"

The pup barked.

"Come here, Bear."

Eric laughed. "Need your furry pillow, Nicky?" 

"You would too if you had your own Bear."

"Don't need to. I have a Dan. He farts in my face too."

Nick's half-hearted chuckle was followed by Dan raising the goatskin and screaming, "Eric! Repeat that if you dare."

Eric guffawed. The hilarity making it hard for him to talk. "You... fart..."

"I'll show you!"

But before Dan could throw the goatskin over the waggon, Bart lowered his eyebrows into a scowl so deep it scared even Sebastian. "Lads, we're amongst royalty here."

"My apologies, My Lord," Dan said. He looked at Sebastian too, which made River grin.

Gods—now the Ician surely knew.

Sebastian shook his head, begging all the Gods listening to his prayer to stop River, to leave him be. River frowned as his eyes bore into his skull. Not a word escaped his lips. No cross-examination or snarky remarks about strange Greenlander traditions. The Ician was Ician about it—praise the Summer Dragon and Winter Bear too.

Meanwhile, Nick moaned. "Be-ar, where are you, boy. Get here, Bear. I have some snacks for you."

Bear uttered a soft growl, then a yap. Sebastian beckoned him to go, to obey his new master. After some initial hesitation, the pup returned inside and yipped to Nick.

"Did you hear something?" Nick asked. "You heard something, didn't you?"

The pup arfed.

No, Bear. Gods, no. Sebastian deepened his voice. "All is well. There was a fish in the water. It's gone now."

"A fish. Silly Bear," Nick cooed him.

Bear let out a long arf.

"Not a fish then? What did you see?"

As the pup yapped and howled, Sebastian cursed inwardly. Luckily, Dan turned towards him and nodded. "Nicky, Ian isn't the only change in the patrol. Bart was promoted to Lieutenant."

"Was he?" Nick took the bait. "But I thought only the General could issue such promotions."

Eric then explained that the decision was taken by Captain Oswald as acting General, based on Captain Jonathan's input and an old exam. Apparently, the old Captain saw in Bart his successor. Not a surprise—there was a reason Jonathan and Uncle Tom had put Nick in Bart's patrol.

The conversation steered towards the other members of patrol seventeen. Serjeant Jasper was the Patrol Leader now. Another Cadet by the name of Vic had been demoted to soldier, and Captain Jonathan had made an exception for Sam to start late at The Academy.

Nick replied with hums and yeahs until he resorted to the occasional self-pitying mumble that made Sebastian snigger.

Soon they approached Eastpond, rode the road on which he had chased Alex just a few weeks ago. Memories of what seemed a lifetime ago resurfaced, of her soft hands on his cheek, the raindrops dripping from her olive skin, the bittersweet taste of her kiss. She couldn't be dead. He refused the thought of it. The sinking of Lord Simon's ship was a decoy—he was sure—a deal she had struck with the Lord of the Port, to disappear forever, to never have to return to Sunstone Castle. He might never see her again, but at least she would be happy. She deserved that.

"Arf."

Sebastian glanced up at the mountain dog pup standing in the back opening of the waggon, waggling his fluffy tail. He arfed again, as if to reprimand him for falling behind. With more than fifty feet between him and the arse of Eric's spotted white stallion, Bear would be right. The carriage turned into a road heading north, entering Regal Sun Wood just as the first beams of sunlight broke through the canopy.

Ignoring the pup's barking, he quickened the horse's pace and rejoined the patrol. There was no escape from Bear. The canvas writhed and twisted, and there he was again, panting lightly, his little pink tongue out of his mouth. Another bark.

"Bear?" Nick croaked. 

"Yip?"

"Get back here."

A disobedient bark.

Nick sighed. He sounded ill. "Come on, Bear. I'm not in the mood."

"He must be sensing something... or someone," River said, smirking at Sebastian. "What do your eyes see, Ian?"

"Trees, My Lord," Sebastian said, deliberately using the wrong title.

As the Ician Prince snorted, Bear arfed a long arf.

"My dog doesn't believe you, Ian. Have another look," Nick commanded naggingly. "There might be bandits or mag... malicious men."

"Fine," Sebastian said through his teeth. As Sebastian, he could easily tell Nick to stop being a Muttonhead. As Ian, he had to obey the travelling companion of the Crown Prince of Ice.

"I'll come with you," Bart said.

Sebastian didn't wait for the Lieutenant. He steered the horse through the broad-leaved trees, the blooming flower beds, away from Nick's prying ears. When blocked by a rippling creek, he turned around, facing Bart. They were far enough from the waggon to talk properly. "There was a deer. As we came closer, the animal darted away. It's gone now."

"First a fish, now a deer..." Bart's mouth twisted in disapproval."What's next?"

"What?"

"No offence, My Lord." He leaned back in the saddle. "But how many more animals can you think of until Nicky figures out it's you the dog is barking at?"

"As many as need be."

"Then you are a fool," Bart dared to say. "Nicky's already suspecting something. He's not himself, tenser, more agitated."

"He's just carriagesick," Sebastian said. "And it doesn't matter. I got out of the castle—We should leave. We're faster than River and his waggon, and George's life may depend on us."

"We have a double mission. Guard Prince River until the border, then ride to Whitepeak. We're thirty miles from home. I have no intention to abandon that plan unless I see no other choice."

"Then stick to your plan, Lieutenant, and keep Nick distracted," Sebastian snarled.

Bart blinked slowly, turning that damned scowl on him. "No."

"No?" Sebastian chuckled. Who was this man, and had he forgotten who he was talking to?

"I'm here to take you, Dan, and Eric to Whitepeak and free the General. Those two Muttonheads may have promised to keep Nicky occupied, but I won't take part in those childish games. Nicky should know. He's your friend, My Lord. He won't betray you."

"You're not aware of my history with Nick, Lieutenant. He could send a raven to inform my uncle, to spite me. I need this freedom."

"Freedom," Bart snorted.

The God of Wrath descended on Sebastian. "I'm not asking you to agree or understand, but respect my choice."

"I will respect you for who you are, My Lord. But know that I find you a fool."

"Which you are so eager to repeat, Lieutenant. You and so many Sundalers find me worthless, a disgrace for this country. I don't care."

"Perhaps you should." Bart tugged at the reins, turning his horse around. He galloped away.

As the God of Wrath grabbed him whole, Sebastian kicked his horse and set the chase. He quickly met up with the Lieutenant. "Whatever you think of me—there was a deer," he hissed, "and switch positions with me. I don't want Bear to keep seeing me."

"As you wish, My Lord," Bart said, more out of courtesy than anything else.

Rejoined with the patrol, Sebastian as far upfront as he could. Nick bought the lie that there had been a deer. Bear, too tied up in munching on treats, stayed with Nick. Every yip or yap he uttered, his friend interpreted as a message for himself.

Slowly, Sebastian shook off the God of Wrath. He grew more confident in his decision not to tell Nick. The Lieutenant may find him a fool, but that meant he had to work harder to gain the respect he deserved. Not because of who he was, but because of his actions. He would show Bart he was a leader, and that his decisions could and should be trusted.

A good ten miles into Regal Sun Wood the rough, uneven, forest path changed into a harder, more frequently travelled road. Nick had found his true self—being the son of Sloth reborn—and was sleeping off his carriage sickness, his snores audibly even at two hundred feet away. While Dan, who was riding alongside him, jested that sharing a tent with a stuffed-nose Nicky was worse than this, Bear barked twice.

"What's the pup's problem?"

"I'm confusing him. Until a day ago, the pup was mine, a gift from River."

"Woah," Dan said. "Wasn't the Prince upset that you gave it to Nicky?"

"No, I asked. Turns out Icians have different traditions than us." Sebastian considered using River's exact words but refrained from it. The man hadn't given a damn what happened to a gift after he had given it. He changed the subject. "Bart doesn't seem to like me."

"Captain Jonathan told him to be hard on you, that it'll be good on you to hear 'no' once in a while."

Sebastian arched an eyebrow, chuckling. "Did he, now?"

"I don't think I was supposed to say that." Dan blushed, stammering. "I'm... Dan. I blather when I'm nervous."

"I'm Seb. I'm pompous and arrogant, not only when I'm nervous."

"I think you're alright, My Lord. Not as bad as the tales make you out to be."

"So what do the tales say?" Sebastian asked. Behind him, Bear continued barking.

"That you... tend to be difficult."

"Some people deserve to get their actions questioned. What else?"

"Erm... You were addicted to poppyseed."

"I had some after an injury." That was half a lie. "I was never addicted."

"People in taverns say the worst things." Dan smiled. "So I bet when you went on that rampage a few weeks ago, Old Dicky didn't actually have to put down the horse you stole?"

"I didn't steal it," Sebastian snapped then swallowed. "The rest is true, unfortunately. I wasn't thinking straight. I'm not immune to the God of Pride."

"Oh..." Dan blinked. "There's something else I heard about you. I don't know if it's true."

"Speak up. I want to know."

"People say... you..." Dan closed an eye, cringing. "... cry a lot." 

Sebastian hummed. The expression 'Real Men Don't Cry' sprung to mind, but he refrained from using it. "I cry more than I used to, yes. Bad things have happened to me. I've lost a lot of people I loved, and... I miss them."

"I see," Dan said. "Will you miss Nicky?"

"Not his snores." Sebastian chuckled, which made Dan laugh as well. "His room is right below mine, and I'm a light sleeper. He's not."

When the laughter faded, Dan said. "I agreed on this mission because I want to avenge Nicky. If Captain Frank hadn't abused his power, General George and Nicky would have never gone to Whitepeak. Nicky would still have had his eyes. He wouldn't be going to some strange Ician school."

"He'll be back."

"That'll take years. I might be dead by then."

"What—you plan on dying, soldier?"

"No, the war," Dan said, appearing surprised that Sebastian wouldn't know what he was referring to. "Everyone's talking about it. Weeks, moons, or years—nobody knows how long it will take, but the war against Silvermark will come. There are rumours of King Ariel training magicians to burn down the city." Dan paused. "Will Ice fight for us? Is that why Prince River visited His Majesty?"

"No, the deals we struck with them are strictly economical."

"But why? King Ariel is an evil man who had your father murdered, who still wants to get rid of you. Why didn't His Majesty push for their allegiance? Her Majesty is Ician too. Surely she—"

"It's politics," Sebastian hated sounding like Uncle Tom, but for once, found the argument just. A simple soldier should not concern himself with royal matters.

"I'm sorry, My Lord."

The wind blew in his face. There came a crack.

Sebastian darted a look over his shoulder. River and his waggon were coming close, too close to continue their conversation. He turned his voice to a whisper. "You forget I ever told you this. This conversation never happened. My name is Ian, and I'm your Cadet."

Dan nodded. "Understood... Ian."

From the waggon, Bear yipped and yapped, as if calling out to him. Ignoring the cry for attention, he rode on and stuck to Captain Jonathan's plan in silence.

He was no longer Crown Prince Sebastian but Ian, a worthless Cadet who had been addicted to poppyseed potions, who had lied and snuck around to feed his hunger. Ian who had stolen a horse from His Majesty's stables and had injured the animal so badly Old Dicky had to relieve it of its misery. Ian who scoffed everyone criticising him, superiors and friends alike, but cried when receiving a beating.

As the clouds moved over their heads, the landscape turned hillier. The fields replaced by orchards or endless meadows. Gradually, the branches of the River Faith grew smaller, the last town they had passed hours away. Nightfall was upon them when the first evergreens popped up.

Nick had rejoined River on the bench. He was holding Bear, who yipped each time Sebastian looked over his shoulder. Even with only the light of the stars and moon to see.

To stay away from Bear, Sebastian refused to sleep in the waggon and spread out his sleeping furin a mouldy barn amongst sheep and donkeys alike. He had four hours to sleep, and wouldn't sleep any of it.  Whenever he tried closing his eyes, his restlessness bubbled to the surface.

The Captain hadn't given him a character to play; he had to play himself. The young man Sundale had given up on, only Whitepeak to bring redemption.

He hoped he would find it there.