The night wind tugged at Shax's wings as he stood atop the ruins of a broken watchtower, the stars burning cold above him. Below, the forest spread in endless shadows, every tree a veil concealing prey.
A whisper of wings announced Stolas's return. The raven alighted on the crumbling stone, feathers dissolving into shadow as he shifted into his human form. His eyes, black and glimmering, fixed on the dragon general.
"I've seen them," Stolas said simply.
Shax's head turned, slow and deliberate. "Where?"
"North, keeping to the forest paths. They avoid the roads, but they are moving steadily. The queen hides her strength well, but she still carries herself like a blade that refuses to rust. The witch walks at her side. Close. Too close."
A low growl rumbled in Shax's chest, claws flexing against the stone. "And their companions?"
"Two at least. A witch and a soldier. Not much of a threat. But they are resourceful enough to keep her hidden this long."
Forneus stepped forward from the shadows, her red eyes gleaming. "Then we strike now. They are weakened. If we wait, the queen may recover further."
Shax silenced her with a single look. His purple gaze burned, sharp and cold.
"No. Patience wins wars. I will not waste my advantage on haste." His tail lashed once, scattering dust and pebbles from the tower.
He turned back to Stolas. "Tell me about the witch."
Stolas's thin smile cut across his face. "She is loyal. Fiercely. Every glance at the queen is filled with resolve. She would bleed herself dry for Levi if given the chance."
Shax's jaw tightened, remembering the sight of her sprinting toward the switch, her scream when his blade took her hand, and the defiance in her eyes even as blood poured down her arm.
"She already has," he muttered.
Pazusax's laughter curled low and mocking. "So we tear her apart piece by piece. Let the queen watch."
But Shax did not laugh. His wings unfurled slowly, catching the moonlight in their purple sheen. His voice was a vow, etched in stone and steel.
"No. We break her carefully. A chain around the queen's heart must not snap too soon. Levi will learn that nothing she loves can survive me."
The group fell silent at the weight of his words. Only the wind whispered through the broken tower.
At last, Shax spread his wings wide, the stones beneath his talons cracking. "We shadow them. When the time is right… we strike, and neither queen nor witch will see the dawn."
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