KAEL.
"Move fast but stay quiet," I ordered, leading our group through the forest. "Single file. Eyes on the person ahead of you."
My scouts fell into formation immediately. Elysia positioned herself directly behind me, close enough that I could hear her breathing, feel her presence like a constant awareness against my back.
My mind raced through my calculations. If Druk's main force was moving toward the eastern border, they'd hit us within hours. Maybe less. I needed every available warrior in defensive positions. Needed to evacuate non-combatants to the safe rooms. Needed to verify our supply lines and ammunition stores.
But every few steps, my eyes keep focusing on Elysia. Making sure she was keeping pace, that she wasn't injured worse than she'd admitted, that she was still there,
