The chapel sat abandoned at the edge of Valdemar territory, half-swallowed by dead vines and years of neglect.
Even though I had figured out Bastian’s plan, I wasn’t concentrating enough until I noticed it too late.
By the time my horse reached the narrow stone path leading toward it, the sun had already dropped lower across the hills, painting the ruined structure in dull gold and long shadows. The old bell tower leaned slightly to one side, cracked through the middle like something had tried to split it apart years ago and failed halfway through.
There was not one single movement, no patrol markers, no scouts.
My stomach immediately tightened harder because o knew for a fact that the silence here was intentional.
I slowed the horse near the chapel entrance and listened carefully. Th
