"You're a bit calmer than I expected," he said.
That got a faint grin. "I've seen worse mornings."
Lindarion nodded once. "How many did you bring?"
"Thirty-seven. Twenty of them combat-fit. We left another twenty-five guarding the road in case this place turns into a trap."
"Smart."
"Desperate," she said. "We've had three villages go dark since last week. No messengers got out. No scry responses."
Lindarion's brow furrowed. "So the city wasn't the only target."
"No. Just the loudest."
Ashwing's tail curled tighter around his neck as he muttered inside the bond. "This is spreading faster than anyone wants to admit."
'I know.'
Rael folded her arms. "What's the plan?"
"Right now? We hold. Heal. Regroup. Command wants to wait until we know more before sending another force."
"And you?"
Lindarion hesitated. "I'm not waiting."
Rael looked at him closely. "I figured."
He didn't offer more.
