Last Stand at Iron Ridge
The road back to Iron Ridge Fortress wound through frosted pines under a slate sky, each horse's breath a pale plume in the morning chill. Vera Lanst rode at the head of her column—Wolf-Guard and Grayrock militia flanking her—while Baroness Merrow brought up the rear with reinforcements from the Unity Moot. The exile General Sarkan's absence weighed heavily on Vera's shoulders; she knew he had not vanished but would rally at this last bastion with one final gambit.
At the fortress gate, Captain Bren signaled the assault. “All stations ready, Majesty." His voice crackled through the frozen air. “Sarkan's mercenaries hold the courtyard. They've armed the ballistae with wolfsbane-tipped shafts."
Vera dismounted, lifting her sword skyward. “Then we must neutralize t
