Iris and Claire continued along the path leading back toward the settlement.
The roar of the monster had long since faded, but the image of it collapsing outside the wall remained fresh in Iris's mind. She could still remember the faint glow from the openings in the stone, the sharp projectiles cutting through the air, and the way the creature had barely managed to take another step before it fell.
Neither of them spoke for a while.
The distance between the northern section of the wall and the settlement was not short. The forest within Velaris made the journey feel even longer, with trees lining the paths and patches of greenery spreading between the different areas of the territory.
Iris walked at a steady pace.
Claire stayed beside her.
"You really didn't know they would fire like that?" Claire finally asked.
"I knew they were defensive structures."
"That's not what I asked."
Iris glanced at her.
Claire's expression held the faintest hint of amusement.
Iris sighed.
