The storm refused to leave completely
Although the worst of it had passed, dark clouds still drifted between the mountain ridges while thin curtains of mist rolled across the valleys below. Occasional flashes of distant lightning illuminated the cliffs for brief moments before darkness reclaimed them once more. The entire landscape felt washed clean by violence, as though the heavens themselves had exhausted most of their anger and now lingered only out of habit.
The Cloud Peak convoy continued forward.
Eight vessels moved through the narrow valley routes in disciplined formation, their protective arrays glowing softly against the darkness. Formation lights reflected from the surrounding cliffs, creating shifting patterns across stone walls slick with moisture.
The atmosphere aboard the fleet had changed considerably.
Several hours earlier, every disciple had been expecting another attack.
Now they were mostly dealing with paperwork.
