The teleportation circle dropped them on the side of an old elven road, not far from the city's main gate. The dawn tinged the sky with shades of orange and purple, filtering through the canopy of ancient trees surrounding the palace walls.
The silence was thick there too—not the same as that of ruin and combat, but a different kind. A tense silence, as if the kingdom itself were on watch.
Kael walked ahead, his cloak torn from battle and his gaze harder than it had ever been. Exelia followed him with her shoulders straight, her eyes always moving, alert to any movement. Liora came right behind, still showing signs of exhaustion, but with her mind on fire—she memorized spells of restraint, spells of truth, and everything else that might be necessary.
As they rounded the last bend in the path, already close to the white marble watchtowers, Kael stopped suddenly.
Someone was waiting for them.
