Nyra’s POV
The sun was low, stretching long orange shadows across the training field. My muscles burned and sweat glistening on my arms as I swung my blade through the air, again and again, until my breathing evened out with Runa’s.
Zee had gone off to fetch something from the armory, so I trained alone, listening to the sound of my heartbeat and the quiet hum of the forest beyond the walls.
Then… I felt it.
A strange ripple of energy.
Runa stirred inside me, growling low. We’re not alone.
I turned slowly, scanning the tree line. Three figures emerged from the shadows—tall, rough-looking men with scars and wild eyes. Rogues.
They circled me like wolves around prey and their lips curling into sneers.
“Well, what do we have here?” one of them said, his voice rough like gravel. “A pre
