The night wind was still present when they left the ruined tower behind. The encounter with the princess had transformed the silence of the journey into something denser, almost suffocating. Now there was no longer just the worry of navigating roads infested with bandits or hunters—there was the life of someone whose death could spark wars between kingdoms.
Kael led the way, his black cloak dragging over the uneven ground, like a shadow guiding them. His amber eyes didn't fix on a specific point, but mapped every curve of the terrain, every crevice in the rocks, every possible ambush.
Behind him, Irelia walked silently, her hand never far from the hilt of her sword. Sylphie followed closely behind, holding a carefully folded parchment. Amelia, for her part, seemed the most relaxed, though her posture betrayed a readiness to react to any provocation.
