By late morning, the sunlight cast a soft glow over the forest’s borderlands. The air was still chilly, dew clinging stubbornly to the leaves. Ryan and Adriana stood facing each other on a narrow path separating the castle grounds from the direction of the boundary. The atmosphere was quiet, but a heavy tension lingered between them.
“I have to go now,” Ryan said with a long sigh. “Some scouts from the outer region reported unusual movements near the territory line. I need to see it for myself.”
Adriana looked at Ryan, worry clouding her eyes. “Are you sure you have to go alone?”
“Not alone. I’m bringing two guards, and Kael is coming with me. But it won’t take long. I just need to make sure everything’s safe. And you… stay in the castle. Don’t leave. Don’t trust anyone who comes unless
