The morning air outside the Citadel was biting and fresh, carrying the sharp scent of wild pine, damp earth, and crisp, unblemished snow.
Following the intense magic sessions in the deep caverns beneath the stone fortress, Alpha Kaelen decided it was time to take our preparation beyond the safety of the courtyard walls. While mastering the Guardian’s Aegis was crucial for static defense, understanding the rugged geography of Nightshade territory was just as essential. If a full conflict broke out along the border, the steep cliffs and hidden high trails would become our primary tactical advantage.
Beta Freya met us in the lower stables just as the first golden rays of dawn hit the snow-capped mountain peaks. Waiting in the wooden stalls were three massive mountain warhorses—sleek, thick-
