"It's so boring here…" Ron muttered beside me.
The open air felt liberating after the oppressive atmosphere of the castle. Freyja had asked me to find her once I was ready—though for what, she hadn't said. It was obvious her request wasn't about guarding her, so I assumed it was something more demanding, likely far from the castle grounds. With no idea how long I'd be gone, I couldn't leave Ron behind. The thought of him alone in that place, surrounded by Freyja's zealous cultists, was dangerous. For a six-year-old, it would either be terrifying or worse—he might come back brainwashed like some of the castle staff.
"When the war is over, I'll send you back to Sancta Vedelia," I said, breaking the silence. "You're from Zestella, right?"
Ron nodded, but his expression clouded. "But… where would I go? I don't have a family anymore…"