A few minutes later, the gates of the Blackstone Wall opened.
Iris stepped through first, her long sword secured at her side and the obsidian dagger within easy reach. Claire followed, then Henry and Veronica, with Benjamin and Caleb close behind. The bodyguards spread themselves around the group without making it obvious. Elias walked with them, while Snow and Dog trotted ahead, their attention constantly shifting between the trees.
They were not going far. Iris had already made that clear. They would stay within a familiar section of the forest and keep the wall close enough that they could return quickly if necessary. The purpose of the outing was to hunt, gain experience, and improve their ability to fight together, not disappear into unexplored territory.
The forest was quiet as they moved between the trees. Snow stopped once to sniff the ground, while Dog wandered a little farther before Elias called him back.
"Stay close, Dog."
