Snow squeaked under boots as Greenland soldiers moved through the ruined camp in neat lines. The order itself felt like a different language—short commands, no shouting.
“Wrap the wounded. Stack weapons by length. Count every survivor twice," a captain said, ticking his fingers.
Ella stood with Sophie near a cookfire, a scratch blanket around their shoulders. Liam hovered a few paces away, restless, eyes darting from squad to squad like a gambler looking for a friendly table.
A young soldier paused in front of them. “You three together?"
Sophie nodded. “We were."
“Names."
“Sophie Hale."
“Ella."
The soldier looked to Liam.
He lifted his chin. “Liam of Southport."
The soldier's pencil slowed. “Southport fell two years ago."
“Then I'm Liam of nowhere," he said shortly.
“Noted." Th
