Come dusk, we reconvened in the courtyard—shadows long and heavy. Soldiers walked back to their tents, bodies sculptured by training but still buzzing with adrenaline. Some hung on with bruises; others wiped the sweat from tired faces. Yet all eyes glinted, from pride of what we had learned; from trust in those who stood beside us.
I stood up on a short wall to talk to the crowd. Kael sat up beside me—silent alliance in action.
"Today we remembered each other's strengths," I said, my voice echoing against the quiet. "We learned to stand as shield wall, to strike as wolves, to disappear like foxes, to hold like bears. We'll deal with whatever comes out of Veilwood's night tomorrow. "We will not be four packs fighting, but we will be one pack fighting."
A cheer passed through the men, such as one never heard upon drill‑ground. I felt the weight in my chest — relief, pride, hope.
Kael clasped my hand. "We are prepared," he said, his voice firm.
