Chapter 26: The Reach of the Crown
The transition from the sanctuary of the manor to the open expanse of the Northern reaches was a jarring reminder of the work that lay ahead. The Silver-Crest was now their fortress, but a kingdom was not built behind walls. It was built on the roads, in the villages, and through the shared hearths of the people they swore to protect.
The delegation to the Iron-Peak pack—a notoriously rugged and isolated group located in the jagged high-altitude crags of the Northern range—had been planned for weeks. It was a test of more than just policy; it was a test of their presence.
The journey took them through the Whispering Pass, where the wind carved melodies out of the ancient stone. They traveled not as a conquering force, but as partners. Nyx rode at the f
