The night descended upon the Crimson Lands with an eerie quietness, broken only by the sound of a distant horn. Leah stood beside Quinn atop the watchtower as the captain gazed out over the battlefield with sharp, calculating eyes.
“The Sylvarians are retreating for the day,” Quinn said briskly. “Let’s head down.”
The two women descended the tower and made their way back to the base. As they approached the central grounds, Leah could see the soldiers lining up, their faces alight with pride and accomplishment. The gates to the Crimson Lands creaked open, and the first batch of returning soldiers began to file in.
Quinn explained that these were the medical corps and stationed staff who had been supporting the battle from the rear. Among them, a familiar figure caught Leah’s attention—a
