Moonridge had been built to disappear into the valley rather than rise above it.
From the ridge, Zinnia had seen smoke, watchtowers and the dark shapes of rooftops among the pines, but the settlement revealed itself slowly as they descended. Houses stood between the trees, their walls made from river stone and black timber, with steep roofs designed to carry winter snow. Paths curved around the natural slope of the land instead of cutting straight through it, and narrow channels carried water from the mountain toward a frozen stream below.
There were no royal banners.
No statues.
No great hall placed higher than every other building.
The largest structure stood near the centre of the settlement, though its wide doors remained open and people passed through freely. Zinnia caught the bi
