The sky was still dark when the horns sounded.
A long, deep blast rolled across the camp like thunder.
It shook the air. The ground, and the pit of Kyle's stomach.
He snapped awake. His hand already gripping Zalrielle's hilt before his eyes had fully opened.
Around him. The others stirred.
Cassian let out a groan, trying to sit up without putting pressure on his injured leg. "Damn it—already?"
Serena was upright in a second, quiet and alert. Her glaive already in her hands.
Eleanora was even faster. She rose without a sound, eyes sharp, adjusting the belt of her estoc like she'd never been asleep at all.
Cedric sat up slower. But his expression was calm. Focused. He grabbed his sword and stood without a word.
No one needed to speak.
They knew what this was.
Outside the tent. The camp had come alive. Shouts rang out. Armor clanked.
