Dusk came fast in the valley.
The sun was still touching the distant ridge when shadows began to pool unnaturally along the tree line. They didn’t creep like the slow advance of night — they stretched, long fingers reaching toward the silver grass.
Elinora stood on the dais, the Spine in her left hand, the Heart’s pulse steady in her chest. Riven was in the western tower, Kaelen somewhere in the grass beyond the ruined wall, his shadows woven through the tall blades like threads in a net.
Her wolf was alert, ears pricked. They send the hunters first.
The first figure emerged from the grass beyond the ruins’ outer edge — lean, masked, armor darkened to blend with the shadows. He didn’t rush the wall; he paced its length, watching, mapping.
Another joined him, then two more. All Bonehou
