DEVAN'S POV
The scouts returned at dawn, and the look on their faces told Devan everything before either of them spoke a word.
"Report," he said, standing at the edge of the makeshift camp where tents made from salvaged canvas had replaced the fortress walls overnight.
"The Council fleet is closer than Ezra said," the lead scout reported, a lean warrior named Finn who had run the northern ridge without rest since midnight. "We counted twelve ships moving in formation from the eastern pass, two days out at their current speed, maybe less if the wind favors them."
"And Silver Moon?"
Finn's expression darkened further. "Nothing, Alpha. We tried every relay point along the border, every signal fire station between here and their territory. Silence. Not even the perimeter watch fires are l
