Chapter 4 — A Pact of Trust

Kael

The cool embrace of the Whispering Forest enveloped Kael as he and Ayra settled into a small clearing, the shadows offering a modicum of safety from prying eyes. The scent of damp earth and pine filled his nostrils, a familiar comfort amidst the turmoil of their mission. He watched Ayra as she spread the documents on a flat rock, her fingers tracing the lines of troop movements with a determination that both impressed and unsettled him. The maps revealed a multi-pronged attack planned by Prince Rian's forces, with one battalion set to breach the southern border of Lyrion while another aimed to cut off supply lines from the east. The urgency of their task was palpable.