KAEL POINT OF VIEW

The council meeting had dragged longer than usual. Voices rose and fell around the table, elders arguing over borders and supplies, but my mind was elsewhere. I was already growing impatient when the doors opened.

A guard rushed in, breathless, eyes wide with urgency.

“My lord,” he said, bowing quickly, “Forgive the interruption, but there is news.”

I frowned. “Speak.”

He swallowed. “Ex Lady Aria was seen at dawn. She left Shadowfang territory with several ...