The last of the Marshal's dogs was gone. One dead in the mud, another broken beneath stone, and the third-a man who chose calculation over loyalty-had fled into shadow.
And now, the path to the Marshal lay open.
The three of them walked past the gates without a word. The sentries didn't ask for names this time .. they already knew who they were. No seal, no token, no questions. Just recognition in silence.
Through the ink-scented corridor they went, where calligraphy hung like whispers and the lamps glowed low with warm breath. At the final door stood the tall woman with green hair.. Vile.
"The Lady is waiting," she said, stepping aside.
This time, she followed.
Inside, Mira sat at the same long table, sleeves rolled up, brush hovering above half-dried parchment. Her gaze didn't rise at once. When it did, it was not warm.
"I expected one less of you," she said. "But here you are. All three. Alive."
Zee said nothing. Sevi stood quiet. Torren folded his arms, his usual smirk absent.
"Then I take it the last of the three has fallen?"
Zee said "one fled."
Mira arched a brow.
"Doesn't matter," Zee said. "He's out of the picture. All that's left is the Marshal."
A pause. Then: "So it is."
Zee stepped forward. "Where is he?"
Mira paused, as if weighing the request-or the price.
Finally, she answered. "He's holed up in a fortress carved into the cliffs to the north. Narrow roads lead up .. barely wide enough for a cart. Natural choke points. He chose it for defense, not escape. The place is crawling with loyalists. Heavily guarded. Built to last through a siege."
Torren whistled softly.
Sevi's hands tightened behind her back.
Mira rose slowly and walked toward Vile. She didn't look at the others as she spoke.
"She'll go first. Help you enter. Scout the walls. She's my dog. And she's ready to die."
Vile offered no protest. She simply nodded.
Zee looked at her. "Then let's not waste her life."
Vile met his gaze. Her expression didn't change.
Outside, the sun had just begun to fall. Shadows stretched long across the compound walls. The four of them stepped into the fading light .. Zee, Sevi, Torren, and Vile .. heading north.
Toward the fortress. Toward the Marshal. Toward fire.