Selene crossed over the eastern cliffs two hours before dawn.
She arrived exactly as Helsa had instructed. In darkness, during the thinnest shift of the watch, she scaled the steep cliffside the kingdom believed unguarded. Ten bound wolves moved with her, along with three lesser witches. Fourteen in total, climbing in silence through the cold air just before light could break.
She was the final one to crest the top.
On the high path at Ashenveil’s eastern edge, she paused to catch her breath. Below her stretched the eastern quarter, swallowed in darkness. Grain storehouses. The old barracks. Cellar chambers. A small courtyard tucked between stone walls. Everything unlit. Everything still. From where she stood, there was no sign of defense.
Just as Helsa had promised.
A thin satisfacti
