If the Third Spark is staged near the watch post, and we move people away, they'll just light it somewhere else. Unless we catch the hand holding the match.
Rhaen's breathing turned shallow.
Lira noticed.
She stepped beside Rhaen and adjusted the cloth at her ribs with gentle hands.
"Breathe," Lira said.
Rhaen glared.
"I am," she rasped.
Lira's expression didn't change.
"No," she said. "You are surviving by stubbornness. That is different."
Rhaen blinked.
Then, grudgingly, she took a slower breath.
Mikhailis watched them.
Lira is terrifying. In a good way. Also, she just told Rhaen 'stubborn isn't breathing' with a straight face. I love her.
He stopped the thought before it became bigger.
Because Elowen was watching him.
Not suspicious.
Just… present.
And he didn't want to be careless.
Elowen spoke to the officers.
"No crowds," she repeated. "No central gathering. Move families in streams. Keep routes changing. If you see calm walkers among fear—stop them."
