Days passed into a steady rhythm at the Veyne Mansion. Kael rose with the dawn, his boots crunching on gravel as he inspected the runestone quarries.
The air was crisp, heavy with the scent of pine and earth, the distant howls of Wolfswood's wolves a constant setting. He assigned extra guards to the quarry's perimeter, their eyes sharp for raiders or scouts.
Each day, he checked the fortifications, noting weak points and barking orders to tighten defenses. The workers nodded respectfully to his instructions.
Back at the mansion, Sera had settled in quite easily, her quiet presence blending with the household. She and Sylvara became inseparable, their laughter echoing through the courtyards as they played with wolf pups or practiced archery.
Sylvara's green eyes sparkled as Sera taught her to nock an arrow, her small hands clumsy but eager. Sera's grief still lingered, but Sylvara's warmth seemed to ease it, her fire-bright spirit a balm for Mira's loss.
