The estate's outer wall came into view on the third morning, and the black bird that had trailed them since the clearing finally broke off, diving low over the gatehouse before vanishing beyond it, an announcement rather than a scout.
"They know we're here," Brigh said, watching it disappear.
"They've known since that bird started following us," Xu said. "This was never going to be a surprise arrival."
Wei Liang studied the wall, taller than Veyrith's own, no visible guards along the ramparts, gates standing open in a way that felt less like welcome and more like invitation into something already decided.
"Formation," Garrow said, drawing his blade. "Whatever's inside, we don't walk in scattered."
They moved through the gate together, Wei Dong kept close to the center of the group des
