The small company departed before dawn, five riders moving quietly through the palace gates while most of the court still slept, Elena having decided the approach toward Ravenhold required careful reconnaissance before committing their full available forces.
"Three days' ride," Finnian said, consulting Adrian's map once more as they cleared the capital's outer boundaries. "Assuming the weather holds and we avoid unnecessary delay."
They settled into steady traveling rhythm throughout that first day, the forest gradually giving way to rolling hills as they moved steadily north, conversation remaining mostly practical, focused on strategy and the considerable danger awaiting them at their eventual destination.
It was during the second day's travel that Logan found himself riding alongside
