The change in Draven was subtle at first — so subtle that anyone else would have missed it.
But Philipa didn’t.
She had grown used to him the way one grows used to the moon — always there, quiet, constant, watching.
So when that presence shifted even slightly, she felt it immediately.
Throughout the evening drill, while Rowan complained dramatically about combat test approaching fast, and another student passing ridiculous notes across to anotheron the field, her attention kept drifting toward the front row where Draven usually stand behind Boorman.
He was there. Same straight posture.Same unreadable face.
Yet something felt… wrong.
She could tell he wasn’t listening. Wasn’t even pretending to pay attention like he normally did.
He simply stared throughthefield, eyes distant, jaw t
