Athena.

The morning mist clung to the edges of Dark Moon territory like a ghostly veil as Beauty and I prepared for the next phase of our mission. Yesterday’s success had emboldened me, yet caution remained my closest companion. Every rustle of leaves, every distant footstep reminded me that we were walking a thin line—one wrong move and our presence would be exposed.

Beauty mounted her horse first, her movements as fluid and deliberate as ever. “We need to reach the northern edge by ...