[House Karzath — The Same Night — Later]
The moon had already risen above the black stone towers of House Karzath when the carriage finally rolled through the iron gates. The wheels ground softly against the gravel path as the horses slowed to a halt before the grand steps of the estate.
Captain Raevahn dismounted first.
The armor he now wore no longer bore the crest of Karzath. The silver serpent of the Malika's knight gleamed faintly beneath the moonlight.
For a moment, he simply stood there, adjusting the leather gauntlet around his wrist before turning toward the carriage.
He raised his hand. Lady Arinaya stepped down carefully, placing her fingers into his offered palm. The night wind moved gently through the courtyard, stirring the edges of her dark cloak.
For a brief moment, their eyes met.
There was relief there and something softer that neither of them spoke aloud, but the moment did not last.
A slow clap echoed across the courtyard.
