We saw no one in the wide expanse of land, though it stretched far and was filled with neatly arranged structures of identical size and shape.
At first glance, it gave the impression that Isla and I were the very first fighters to arrive, but I knew better. The others were here, hiding in their chambers, cooling their heels, conserving energy until they were called. This silence wasn't absence; it was strategy.
Still, the sight of the field stopped me in my tracks.
The place was magnificent in its own way, designed with ruthless practicality but touched with pride. This was no ordinary lodging ground—it had been built to house the flood of visitors who came each year for the combats and contests.
