"The range is greater than we expected.
There's nothing we can do if they attack us in the hot region," Idith said, concern evident in her voice.
“Let’s-“
With the current conversation, Ilyin couldn't help but bury his face in Aden's embrace in worry.
Aden held her tightly, but at that moment he shivered in surprise.
“Your grace!” shouted Idith as she saw an arrow fly past.
Blood gushed from Aden's shirt where the arrow grazed him.
A few drops splashed onto Ilyin's face, his eyes widening in shock.
“A-are you okay?” she managed to stammer out as she looked at Aden.
Ilyin instinctively reached for Aden's back with concern, but was stopped by Aden's right hand.
“You’re going to get hurt,” he said.
When Ilyin felt nothing on Aden's back, she looked at Aden and said:
“The arrow?”
“I'm fine,” Aden said trying to calm Ilyin.
Blood had soaked his left arm, but all he was focused on was wiping the blood off Ilyin's face.
If Aden was hurt, he didn't show it with his expressionless face.
“Idith,” said Aden, looking straight ahead.
“Yes,” came an answer immediately, the air around them thick with tension.
“How many can you identify?”
“Four of them.”
Ilyin shook his hand until his knuckles turned white.
Everything that was happening was eerily similar to her prediction and she could feel that there was more to come, yet there was every chance that the prediction would come true.
“Kill them,” ordered Aden in a cold voice that was different from Ilyin's prediction.
At this command, Idith and Etra nodded and slowed their horses, Aden increased his pace and held Ilyin close to him.
As they rode, they could hear the clash of swords, blood-curdling screams, and eventually silence.
The piercing screams and commotion of battle did not do one bit to ease Ilyin's worry.
Worried about Idith and Etra, Ilyin tried to look over Aden's shoulder.
“Are you more worried about them than me?” Aden said.
When Ilyin couldn't respond, Aden laughed, "I'm joking."
When Ilyin realized how tightly she was holding Aden's shoulders, she looked down and realized that his wound was much deeper than it seemed.
“Your hand is going to get dirty,” was all Aden said as he looked at her.
“B-blood,” was all she could say.
"Don't worry.
The wound will heal quickly in the winter region," Aden assured Ilyin as he tightened his arm around her and sped up.
“There’s still time until then,” Ilyin said more to herself than anyone, the horse running faster below her.
Ilyin couldn't help the slight relief that washed over her when she looked at Aden and remembered what he had said a few days ago, 'Let's cheat the dream.'
Aden laughed as if he had read her thoughts:
“We are already in winter.”
He then pulled Ilyin's blue hood over her head, as if he was trying to protect her from something and she then saw a blinding light in his right hand.
It was as if someone had pressed time to move forward quickly, which triggered the climate change.
The clear blue sky they were riding under slowly disappeared giving way to rain clouds that soon covered the sky.
There was a clear and distinct line between the two regions.
The gloomy hanging clouds were a welcome sight, as Bilften's sky was always gray and the moon was instantly covered by the dark clouds.
As it grew dark, Ilyin felt small crystals falling from the sky, something she was very familiar with.
It was April Bilften which was more difficult because of the north wind.
With the snow and wind, the place that once reflected the heat of the region turned into a beautiful winter.
As they rode in the darkness, a snowstorm covered everything in sight, but Ilyin felt safe in the arms of her winter duke, Aden.
When the horse slowed to a stop, Ilyin wrapped his clothes tightly and looked back.
Idith and Etra were getting off their horses, they were unharmed, but the same could not be said about the four corpses they brought with them.
When Ilyin got off the horse, she grabbed Aden's hand tightly, as she couldn't take her eyes off the four bodies in front of her.
They were frozen and their eyes were covered.
Although they were slumped like statues, they appeared aggressive and ready to attack anyone at the slightest provocation.
“I kept my promise,” Aden said and opened his palm, relieving the heavy snowstorm.
“It’s the reward for believing in winter,” he whispered softly with a smile as he looked at Ilyin.
When Ilyin looked at Aden, she realized that her prediction had come true, albeit with a slight but very welcome twist.
Aden was injured exactly as in his prediction, but he was not badly injured.
It was Aden who orchestrated the change in vision.
Roxi: I love it when they know how to use their heads correctly