The eastern boundary remained tense long after the patrols pulled back.
Even with both sides creating distance, nobody truly relaxed. Guards stayed alert, conversations remained sharp, and every movement near the line was watched too carefully to mistake the atmosphere for peace.
It wasn’t peace.
It was restraint.
Temporary restraint.
Lyra walked beside Kael as they finally stepped away from the boundary line, both of them quieter than usual after the confrontation.
“That could’ve gone badly,” she said.
Kael glanced toward the eastern woods before answering. “It still can.”
The blunt honesty of it didn’t surprise her anymore.
Nothing about this situation allowed comfort now.
They continued walking through the upper path overlooking the grounds. Below them, people were still talki
