Blood before Dawn
Snow fell in thick, silent flakes as Vera Lanst spurred her destrier toward Iron Ridge Fortress. The moon, waning but still bright, cast the jagged ramparts in silver. Behind her, a phalanx of wolf-shifted warriors—Grayrock militia and Wolf-Guard alike—pressed through the drift, their breath steaming in the frigid air. Torches bobbed at their flanks, flickering like determined stars.
From the fortress walls above, watchmen shouted warnings. Archers lined the parapets, fingers tightening on poisoned bolts tipped with wolfsbane. Below, merlons bore scorch marks from alchemical fire; the air reeked of brimstone and fear.
Vera reached the foot of the ridge and halted. Captain Bren rode up beside her, face grim beneath a frost-lined helm. “My queen, they've taken the loyali
