The smell of smoke reached them long before they saw the flames.
It drifted through the mountain air in thick, bitter waves, carried by the eastern wind.
General Corvin immediately raised a hand.
“Stop.”
The entire column came to an instant halt.
The horses stamped nervously.
Soldiers instinctively rested their hands on their swords.
Julian narrowed his eyes toward the valley below.
“That’s no campfire.”
A dark plume climbed into the gray morning sky, twisting above the trees like a warning.
General Corvin’s expression darkened.
“The Eastwatch Supply Depot.”
Without another word, he dug his heels into his horse.
“Ride!”
⸻
The expedition thundered down the mountain road.
Hooves pounded against frozen earth as they raced toward the valley.
By the time they arrived…
The depo
