Chapter Sixty-six:
The morning mist clung to the ancient trees of the Wolfmort forest like a damp, silver shroud. The air was crisp, smelling of wet earth and the sharp, revitalizing scent of pine, the natural beauty felt distant. Luna, Magnus, Amelia, and the battered remnant of their warrior circle crossed the threshold of the deep woods, their footsteps heavy on the moss-covered ground.
As they approached the heart of the settlement, the clan began to emerge from their leather-hide tents. Faces etched with anxiety soon shifted into expressions of relief and curiosity. Children stopped their play, and elders looked up from their tasks, all watching the arrival of their leader.
Kael, Ronan, Aldric, and Lucien—the four pillars of the clan's current leadership—stood in a solemn line in front of the large meeting tent. As Luna drew near, they bowed their heads in unison, their voices rising in a rhythmic chorus that echoed through the clearing.
"Welcome back, Chieftess Raven."
