The representatives exchanged glances, then nodded one by one. Whatever doubt Starfell's betrayal had caused, Octavia's certainty was pushing it back.
"Dismissed," Octavia said. "Return to your positions. And someone find me, that runner who reported Starfell's departure. I want confirmation on exact numbers and direction."
As the representatives filed out, Seraphina moved close enough to speak privately. "You're certain about Jack's return?"
"I have to be," Octavia replied quietly. "Because if I'm wrong, we're in for trouble."
---
The rumbling started small.
A faint vibration that most people dismissed as imagination or distant thunder.
But it grew steadily. Until even the stones beneath defenders' feet began to shake.
Any trained soldier knew this sound.
It was the sound of men marching together.
Soldiers on the eastern wall tensed, their hands gripping weapons with white-knuckled intensity.
