Chapter38: Flight Into the Mountains

*Akin* Caelan stands in front of us, his gaze hard as steel, jaw clenched, and I know instantly that this won’t end with us simply walking away. The way he’s squared his shoulders, planted his feet, every muscle in his body is telling me he won’t let us leave without a fight. And I don’t want to fight him. Not here, not now, when we’re all running on fumes and tensions are high enough to snap. But there’s something militant, almost desperate, in his stance. It’s the way he’d face an enemy, and it feels wrong. We’re supposed to be allies, yet here we are, at a breaking point. “Caelan,” I say, forcing my tone to stay calm. “Let us go. This isn’t about abandoning the cause or betraying the rebels. Maerilee needs this. Altinna needs this.” Caelan’s eyes flash, the determination in them blazing. “And what do you think we’re doing here, Akin? We’re building a force strong enough to defend Altinna. Leaving now will unravel all the groundwork we’ve laid. I don’t care what stories you’re chasin