~Isabella’s POV

The march to the next outpost was tense but efficient. Our forces moved through the dense forest with practiced ease, the witches and wizards weaving subtle cloaking spells to mask our presence. The sun was high in the sky by the time we reached the edge of the enemy’s territory.

From our vantage point, we could see the outpost below. It was modest compared to the one we’d just overtaken—wooden barricades, a few scattered buildings, and a handful of guards patrolling the ...