After sweeping the surrounding terrain, Viscount Montrose and his men returned, their faces grim and empty of hope.
The Viscount stepped forward, his armor stained and his expression tight. He gave a silent shake of the head.
Rhaegal said nothing. He simply lowered Selene's body gently to the ground, his fingers lingering on her arm as if letting go would sever something permanent. Then, slowly, he rose to his feet. His golden eyes swept across the ruins of the rebel camp. the collapsed tents, the charred remains, the blood-soaked earth and something in his face darkened.
"Burn it down," he said, voice flat and low.
The Viscount nodded once and turned sharply to his men. "You heard him."
They moved with grim purpose, torching what was left as smoke and flame began to crawl across the battlefield like a final breath.
