They gathered at Frostfang three days before the ride to the Moot.
Thorne and Tuva arrived first, mud still on their boots from the meadow line. Elara and Felix followed before nightfall. The keep took them in without ceremony. The old family solar was opened. Food was set. The parents came.
For a while it was almost ordinary. Rylan needled Thorne about the southern accent he was acquiring. Kane asked Tuva dry questions about the high-meadow watches. Darius listened more than he spoke. Elena watched her children the way she had once watched battle lines — measuring what had changed since the last time they stood in the same room.
Magnus stayed near Lila without crowding her. Felix did the same with Elara. The partners had learned the temperature of this particular family gathering.
When the plates were cleared Lila stood.
"Walk with me," she said to Thorne.
