It made the Crownward March feel even farther away than it actually was.
Astra stepped beside him. "The family is moving quickly."
"Yes."
"Does that concern you?"
He thought about it honestly. "A little. Because once Arcturus starts committing resources, the momentum builds fast, and it doesn't slow down easily."
Astra looked out over the same sky. "They trust your judgment."
"They do. And they believe the region is worth it." He let out a slow breath because that part mattered more than most things.
His father had looked at the same potential he had seen, the route, the territory, the space beyond Mournveil, and reached the same conclusion without needing to be convinced.
"It will strengthen the March," Astra said.
"It will. And increase pressure too."
She nodded once, and then they stood there quietly for another minute, watching the ships move and the city glow below them.
