Juna left the forge carts at the northern wall, waiting until the road crew carried Ferra's brackets toward the watchposts before entering the trees alone. The town remained behind her as hammer strikes plus wagon wheels, though every sound thinned once she crossed the ridge.
She chose a clearing below the northern slope, placing six fist-sized rocks along a fallen trunk before stepping back twenty paces.
One pale-gold Wing opened behind her, sending power down her shoulders while the Solar Vanguard markings reached halfway along her forearms.
The full form wanted to spread through her body at once, sharpening every scent until the forest became a list of things she could chase.
She held the change below her elbows, keeping her claws short as she faced the first rock.
Her opening strike sent a gold line across the clearing, cutting the rock without touching the bark beneath it.
The second line went wider, shaving two pieces from the trunk before burying itself in the slope.
