[Lavinia's POV — March to the Eastern Region—Evening]
After distributing the rations and stabilizing the village, we left Black Wall without wasting another breath. The sky was painted in shades of dying pink—sun dipping low, streaking blood-red trails behind the clouds.
Our march was silent. Focused. Icy.
The plan was simple: End the Meren King. Take the throne. End this war before it swallows anything else I care about.
To reach the capital, we needed to break through five fortresses. Black Wall was already ours—fallen in a night.
Four remained.
Next was the Eastern Region's heart: Red Wall Castle.
A monster of a fortress. The spine of Meren. The place that fed their soldiers and supplied their metal.
"If we keep riding," I murmured, watching the dimming horizon, "we reach Red Wall by dawn."
Haldor nodded sharply. "We should prepare a night assault—before they expect us."
I opened my mouth to answer—
WHOOOOOOOOOSH—!!!
