51. The Winter Nectar

Rina arrived at the the log cabin where Oliver used to live. It was a place hidden within a marsh, sitting at the edge of King’s Harbor. The area was rarely visited by anyone, and too difficult to navigate.

She had taken a small carriage instead of flying directly there. The skies were heavily monitored by the Royal Garrison; she didn’t want any extra attention from Eros or Dagen.

“Pull over,” she ordered the chauffeur and flipped a gold coin into his hand. “You never took this trip.”

The chauffeur often escorted lords and ladies to several places they didn’t want people to know about. He didn’t even raise an eyebrow. He simply took the coin, then went back the way they came.

Rina walked around a small hill, encircling the marsh, then cut straight on a path that led to Oliver’s cabin.

When the house was in sight, she heard a strange noise echoing from afar. The area was usually restrictively quiet, but now it was rumbling chaotically, like there were many people around.

She stood on t