No one argues. No one hesitates.
Elda nods, unsurprised. “Dawn is ideal. The winds die down just before sunrise — you’ll have a window to cross the eastern boundary without fighting the corruption.”
She looks around the table, assigning tasks like she’s done this a hundred times.
“Torric, I’ll need you to reinforce the fire wards at the southern gate before you go. Aspen, Revna — check the outer markers one last time. Malrik, come find me after dinner. We’ll go over the route together.”
Her gaze lands on Finn, and something in her expression softens.
“And you,” she says gently. “Eat. Rest. You’ll need your strength.”
Finn’s jaw tightens, but he nods.
The meeting winds down. People start to move, conversations breaking into smaller groups.
Elda catches my eye before I can stand.
“You’re ready, more than you realize,” she says quietly. “You’re not running anymore.”
I meet her gaze. “No. I’m not.”
She smiles — warm, approving. “Good. The village stands with you. Whatever waits at Sorrow’s Keep, we’re behind you.”
“Thank you,” I say. And I mean it.
Later, as we file out into the cool night air, I let myself feel it.
The steadiness. The certainty.
I’m not running from fear. I’m not acting recklessly. I’m here, with the men I lo…nope.I have people behind me are following because they choose to.
And it’s terrifying.
Kieran falls into step beside me, Torric’s warmth at my back.
Aspen’s calm, Finn’s uncharacteristically quiet, but he’s here. That’s what matters.
And Malrik is already planning.
Darian catches my eye one more time. The smirk is gone, replaced by something softer. Something like hope.
Bob settles at my side, Mouse at my heel, Steve dangling upside down from the rafters like this is all just a show. They’re… Ready.
We leave at dawn.
Sorrow’s Keep is waiting.
And Seren is close.
Chapter 19
Darian
I’ve been standing outside the hall for way too long.
Long enough for my palms to go damp. Long enough to rehearse the same words in my head a hundred different ways.
Hey Kaia? Can we talk?
