The wheels slowed when the first sight of Greyhold came into view.
Arden sat straight, eyes narrowing at the gates where soldiers stopped wagons one after another.
Their voices carried across the air, sharper than before, and their hands searched through crates and packs with little patience.
"This wasn't how it was when we left," Nyra muttered, her gaze sweeping across the line of travelers waiting their turn.
Rael leaned on the wagon rail. "Looks like someone woke the guards. Must've been bad for them to care this much."
The soldiers stiffened as Arden's group approached.
Whispers moved quickly among them, the name of the man who had cut down hybrids and reclaimed the supply routes already carrying its weight. Their captain gave a short nod, stepping aside without the usual search.
"Let them through."
The gates opened, and Greyhold revealed itself.
