Chapter 36

Rhobart looked at the trees and then at the sky.

“We need to leave. It will take us at least four hours to reach the next camp, and there are only three hours of light left,” he said before getting on top of his horse.

Ayla nodded as she glanced at the river for the last time. She had never told Nixx that her father was King Amul, and he had been the first to treat her as if she was... normal and not royalty. He had suspected she was from a rich family, but she always denied it. When she didn’t know how to build a fire or make stew, he did not judge her. With patience, Nixx taught her not only how to make food and start a fire but also how to properly take care of a horse and how to set traps for rabbits.

She was grateful for all the things he taught her, and she made a promise to herself that the next time she saw Nixx again, for she truly believed he was still alive, she would let him know how much their friendship meant to her.

She made sure that the memories of Nixx were safe i