The campfire was little more than embers now, smoke curling weakly into the cold night. The wagons had been pulled into a tight semicircle, the beasts of burden tethered close and restless, their ears flicking at sounds from the tree line. Everyone knew what this meeting was about. The road ahead was too dangerous to walk without structure.
Selvara spread the map across a flat rock, pinning the corners with stones. The parchment was worn and patched with scribbled notes, but the ridges, rivers, and the looming shadow of the devil beast king's domain were still clear.
"We need to finalize roles," Selvara said, her calm voice cutting the hush. "No gaps. No improvisation." Her gaze swept the group, sharp and assessing. "We're past the village protections. Every position has to be filled, and filled correctly."
Cerys leaned on her spear, firelight flickering against her grin. "Scouts first. No point in walking blind."
