Still glued to their spyglasses, the Valkra soldiers didn't blink once, as if terrified of missing even a heartbeat of what they were watching. Their tension spiked the moment Finala burst out of the chimney smoke, wings beating hard as she soared straight toward them.
"Captain, that creature's back," one soldier blurted, snapping Meier Alister out of his brief rest.
Knowing the emperor's loyal scout had returned, Meier spun on his heel and snatched the spyglass from his man. Through the lens, he caught sight of Finala, the bird‑fae of the Golium race, winging her way in with whatever intelligence she'd gathered.
Landing before the Valkra troops, Finala hopped onto a low branch, shifting restlessly until she found a perch that suited her. Then she spoke, voice sharp as a hawk's cry.
"What report do you bring us, fae of Golium?"
"There's not much I can hand you," Finala admitted, feathers ruffling. "But from what I saw, Earl Lyndader is tangled up in this mess."
