We watched another hour, counting banners and noting weak points in their defenses. When movement stirred near the central tent, I focused the glass again. A tall woman emerged, dark hair braided with bone and silver wire. Power rolled off her even at this distance. She turned her head as if she could sense us watching. I pulled back fast.
We rode home hard, pushing the horses until their flanks heaved. The keep appeared as the sun dropped low, torches already lit along the walls. Garrick met us at the gates, face drawn. I gave him quick orders to double the outer patrols and called a quiet council for dawn.
Inside our chambers the fire crackled low. Lila spotted me first and barreled across the room. "Mama came back!"
I caught her and swung her up, breathing in her familiar scent. Thorne and Elara sat on the thick furs, playing with carved wooden wolves. When they saw me they both lit up.
