The victory in the Great Hall should have tasted sweeter. Instead, as Kael stood over the war table in the strategy room, the taste was metallic, like blood on the wind. They had cut off the head of the snake within their own walls, but the body outside was thrashing, and its venom was spreading in ways they had not anticipated.
The council assembled was smaller now, purged of Elder Thorne's influence. Ronan, Valen, Finn, and a newly-included Elias formed the core. Lyra stood at Kael's right hand, her presence a steadying force, but the shadows under her eyes spoke of a shared, sleepless night.
"The first reports are coming in from the Crimson Paw border," Valen stated, his voice a gravelly rasp. He pointed to several flashing points on the holographic map. "Thorne has gone to ground, but his followers are not hiding. They're rallying. And they're not just talking anymore. They've hit three of our patrols. Hit and run tactics. No survivors."
