Far North
"Who do we have there?"
The deep, calm female voice tore Alantra out of her rigidity. As she tried to pull her cousin up out of the snow, she searched the area frantically. Seyla has been remarkably calm in her arm since the fight had started. However, she didn't feel like she could look after her cousin. Already after a short moment Alantra discovered a figure that came out of the undergrowth. A tall woman stood there, wrapped in a heavy, black coat. Her black hair was shoulder length and braided together into many small braids. Her complexion didn't seem to match this environment. It was light brown, like that of the Kawler residents who she had met in the market. She wore a fine, red doublet under her coat and her gloved hand held a dagger. Alantra instinctively took a half step back. She felt Jen pressing against her. Apparently he had discovered the stranger too. Had she killed the wolf? But she didn't have a bow with her. Did that mean there were others here? The stranger paused and frowned. Then she slipped her dagger back into its sheath on her belt.
"Cael, bring me two cloaks and the horses immediately," the stranger called over her shoulder before turning back to the children, "please don't be afraid. I won't do anything to you, I promise you."
She took another step forward and again Alantra could not prevent her from flinching. She didn't know how to react. They needed help, but they couldn't trust someone. At the same moment she saw from the corner of her eyes how the woman lifted her hands clearly and went down on her knees.
"I understand that you are afraid. But the little one has to get out of the cold. Maybe it is already too late."
Alantra looked at Seyla, startled. The baby was lying with her eyes closed, motionless in her arm, her skin almost blue. Alantra tore her glove from her hand and tried to feel Seyla's breath. Tears came to her eyes when she got no response. That shouldn't be! She was responsible, she had to protect the others.
Something heavy was put around her shoulders. She felt fur on her cheek. When she looked up she saw the stranger's face. She had put her cloak around Alantra's shoulders.
"Don't worry, we'll do what we can. But we can't waste time."
Her voice was soft, soothing, and at the same time urgent. Alantra noticed how she nodded and let herself be pulled up. No matter what the woman's intentions were, she was their only hope. Rule of the house of Hundras in the Northern Kingdom Her dark-skinned ancestors married into the family three generations ago. It was a marriage to consolidate the alliance between the two countries. Has ruled since the 'conflict of five houses' where her father died.