Zayden's hands tightened slightly around Ren, not from fear but from instinct, protectively, although he couldn't understand why.
"Stay close," he said, almost to himself. His breath brushed against Ren's neck, warm but tense.
Ren didn't answer. He could feel the weight of Zayden's figure, grounding yet suffocating. His red eyes focused on the dark opening ahead, where even the shadows seemed to fear entering.
A low hiss echoed from inside the cave. The horse snorted and stepped back slightly. Ren tensed, muscles tense, ready for whatever waited inside.
"Shh," Zayden whispered, his voice sharp now, commanding as a hand caressed his horse.
"Whatever you do, don't make a sound." He looked at his other knights, who nodded.
Ren slowly dismounted the horse, followed by the other soldiers.
