Aeric didn't wait for a carriage.
He stormed into the yard, grabbed the reins of the nearest horse, and mounted in one swift motion. No guards. No supplies. No hesitation.
He kicked off, and the horse bolted forward, hooves striking the ground in a desperate rhythm that matched the fury pounding inside his chest.
Faster.
Faster.
Faster.
Aeric didn't stop—not at the checkpoints, not at the resting posts, not even when twilight sank into night. He rode until the moon rose high and the world blurred into silver shadows.
By the time the horse staggered, legs trembling beneath it, Aeric felt the animal's exhaustion like his own.
Finally, the horse halted, breath ragged.
Aeric swung down immediately.
"You did well," he murmured, running a gentle hand along its sweat-damp neck. "You need rest. Water."
He looked around, spotting a patch of soft grass.
"Eat here for now. I'll find you something to drink."
