The settlement came into view three hours before sunset, smoke still rising from damaged buildings, the western wall showing gaps where stonework collapsed under A-Rank bombardment. Luthra felt his jaw tighten at the sight, he knew the Syndicate would retaliate for the raid but seeing the actual damage made it real in a way reports couldn't.
Thalia's twenty riders peeled off at the settlement boundary, their escort duty complete, the coalition leader sent them with strict orders to get Luthra back alive because apparently he was valuable enough to warrant protection. He waved them off and guided his horse through the gates, Rebecca and his exhausted escort team following behind.
