A long distance away, in a dimly lit room, Oren stood by the long wooden table at the center, with one hand resting against its edge.
His gaze was fixed on the spread of maps before him consisting of inked lines, marked borders, rivers, roads of Askye.
Even on parchment, it still looked dangerous, like it's ruler.
He exhaled slowly, as he stared at it. Days ago, he had been rotting in chains, declared to die.
And now he was in another predicament.
Just with lean clothes, a blade at his hip, food that didn't taste so awful and a little bit of freedom.
But Oren was no fool. Freedom given was never truly free. Especially in delicate times like this. One had to be smart if not, one would be discarded away like trash.
Behind him, two guards stood silent at the door. They had come with Rees but the Lord hadn't entered the cottage yet.
As he stared at the map, he traced a road on it with his finger. It lead from the capital to the eastern trade routes, to the outer settlements.
