---
Keep him alive. Keep him strong. And when the moment came—when Star's next stage demanded even more. Zephyr would be ready.
Even if it meant chasing prey across the whole of Emberwood forest, dragging home every beast foolish enough to breathe within hunting range.
Because this time, the hunt wasn't a drill. This time, they were feeding a dragon.
Behind him, the faint sound of a bell made him grimace.
"Muse..." he whispered.
He turned just enough to peek back through the trees.
The cow, aka queen of unintended chaos, bane of stealth ops—was nibbling bark again, despite his earlier lectures. Her thick horns were hidden behind a brush curtain, and the cart sat quietly beside her, tucked in shadow. But she was unmistakably ignoring orders.
Still, she hadn't wandered. And the bell hadn't rung loud enough to carry. Small mercies.
