---
After the battle, Cerastis limped into a fissure valley where wind died. They fortified among eroded pillars, and posted triple watches. Kai volunteered for the first shift with Needle.
At moonrise he climbed the peak to scan dunes. Miles away torch beads moved, Coatl Banner. They must have heard battle thunder but chose a different canyon to bypass. Tactical cowardice or cunning? Who knows!
Kai glimpsed Darius among them, armour pristine. Thea rode a dune-lizard, aura majestic. She held a banner of black silk whose star glyphs pulsed silver.
Kai ground mandibles. "Enjoy calm, bastard. The Ruler's trench will test all."
Needle tapped his shoulder. "I owe you life earlier," he said softly.
Kai shrugged. "Debt paid by every blade you threw."
Needle smiled faintly. "Still… glad I followed Mia. Thea would have fed us to that thing to save her."
Kai nodded, silent vow: he would protect Mia, on the battlefield and behind velvet curtains of palace politics.
