The boundary marker between Velrane lands and the wilderness beyond wasn't much to look at, just a weathered stone post carved with the family crest, half-hidden by encroaching weeds. Yet as their party rode past it, Soren felt a shift in the air as tangible as stepping from sunlight into shadow.
He adjusted his seat in the saddle, wincing as his mount tossed its head in response. The horse, a dappled gray the stablemaster had called "manageable", had proven to be anything but during their first day's journey.
Now, as they left the relative safety of Velrane territory, the animal seemed to sense the change as well, its ears flicking nervously at every rustle from the surrounding woods.
Ahead of him, the four knights who had joined their party at dawn rode in perfect formation, two before Veyr and two behind.
