Ulrich rode through the night with Airam seated before him.
He chose the main road leading toward Rubenhart County.
There were faster routes. Narrow forest paths cut through the hills, and old trade tracks could have shortened the journey by several hours. But shortcuts came with their own dangers: bandits, smugglers, wandering mercenaries, and people who might recognize an injured nobleman traveling with a young girl in the middle of the night.
Ulrich had neither the strength nor the patience for another fight.
So he chose the safest path.
He would bring Airam back to his territory himself.
He would rely on no one except himself.
That was how Ulrich had always lived.
