By the time she reached her own chambers the moon hung high. She lit a single candle and spread the latest reports across the table. Black veins. Empty homes. Silence that twisted people. The eastern threat grew teeth while she sat behind stone walls making careful decisions.
A soft knock sounded. Magnus stood in the doorway when she opened it, cloak dusted with fresh snow.
"I couldn't sleep," he said. "Thought you might want company going over the maps. No strings. Just another set of eyes."
Lila hesitated. Trust was a risk. But so was carrying everything alone. She stepped aside.
"Come in." She finally said.
They worked side by side at the table, voices low as they marked possible routes and weak points. Magnus offered practical insights from Stormborn's mountain experience without pushing.
