The wind howled across the open courtyard as Kael and the Velmourn riders descended from the sky. The beasts landed one after another, wings beating against the air before folding neatly to their sides.
The last to land was Kael himself—yes, Igni wasn't with him. Despite the Dragon's constant refusal, Kael had forced him back into the Sanctuary and told Vitaria and Nyrri to keep an eye on him. Igni needed to heal, and healing would be fastest inside the Sanctuary.
As the group landed on the ground, everyone—the Council Members, the Matriarch, Kayden, and a few other soldiers—stared at them in shock, their eyes wide, movements still, as if they were unable to process the sight in front of them.
The group did not return alone.
Together with them were a total of twenty-nine Sky Kingdom soldiers, bound with ropes. Their once-proud uniforms were now dirtied and scorched.
