The afternoon smelled of salt and woodsmoke, the tide whispering against Lavista's docks. The Phoenix Legion had settled into into their tasks guarding even beyond the town walls, sentries pacing the perimeter.
Lara was busy the entire afternoon, taking care of the injured, suturing wounds, and applying medicinal salve, but her hand never strayed far from her sword.
When she left earlier, Pamela's laughter with Marina had unsettled her—pure and innocent.
And yet, for all her instincts, Lara had left Pamela. She let them play. She thought her young ward needed it.
Now, the mistake burned like iron in her chest.
When she came back, Pamela was nowhere to be seen.
She went to their tent. Pamela was not there. The flap stirred in the afternoon wind, and Lara's heart thundered in her ears. A guard lay slumped by the entrance, drinking a cup of coffeee. He was not bothered at all.
