Chapter 179- Shadows in the Distance
Tarria
The forest swallowed me whole as I moved deeper into its heart, every step measured, every breath deliberate. I had scouted countless times before but tonight felt different. The report that had reached us described unusual activity near the northern ridge—Adrian’s men seen hauling supplies, shadows lurking where they shouldn’t. If true, it meant Adrian was regrouping faster than we thought, and the last thing Queen Lexy needed was another surprise attack at her doorstep.
I crouched low, brushing aside a fern heavy with dew. The air carried a tension that clung to my skin like static. Crickets sang, owls whispered their warnings, and yet beneath the natural symphony, I heard it—a faint clink of metal. My instincts sharpened, every nerve alert. They were here.
The path was treacherous, slick with moss and tangled with roots that seemed determined to trip me. But I pressed on, sliding silently from shadow to shadow. I had marked this area before, back when Adrian’s movements had been more erratic, but now it was clear he had chosen it for a reason. The ridge overlooked a wide valley, hidden by cliffs on three sides. A perfect fortress if one wanted to disappear—or to prepare for something larger.
I reached the edge of a clearing and stilled; my breath caught in my throat. Below, lanterns flickered like fireflies against the dark, revealing shapes moving between makeshift tents. A camp—larger than I’d expected. Not a temporary stopover, but something meant to last. I counted quickly: two dozen tents at least, maybe more hidden in the shadows. Men gathered around fires, sharpening blades, their voices carrying snippets of conversation. I strained to listen.
“…Kael wants them ready by dawn…” one said.
“… supplies will arrive from the south…” another answered.
Kael. So, he was still moving with Adrian, their schemes entwined. My stomach twisted at the thought. Every day they remained free was another day danger loomed over the alliance and the tribe.
I shifted carefully along the ridge to get a clearer view. At the far edge of the camp, wooden crates were stacked high, marked with symbols I didn’t recognize. Not stolen food, not weapons from our stores. Something else. I leaned forward, narrowing my eyes. Some crates glowed faintly from within, a pale, unnatural light leaking through the cracks. My heart skipped. Power. Whatever Adrian was collecting, it wasn’t ordinary.
A branch snapped somewhere behind me. My blood turned to ice. Slowly, I slid a hand to the dagger strapped at my thigh, and every muscle coiled.
Another crack. A figure emerged from the trees—a scout, his leather armor marked with Adrian’s crest. He hadn’t seen me yet, too busy fumbling with a wineskin at his belt. I waited, forcing my breath to slow and steady. If he looked up, if he noticed the glint of my blade, it would all be over.
The man took a swig, cursed under his breath, then staggered downhill toward the camp. Relief washed over me, though I didn’t move until I was certain he had gone. Close. Too close.
I couldn’t linger. I had seen enough to confirm the threat, and every extra second risked discovery. Yet part of me hesitated. If I could slip closer, maybe I could learn what was inside those glowing crates. Maybe I could overhear more about Adrian’s next strike. But I thought of Lexy, of the tribe waiting for answers. My queen needed my report, not my reckless curiosity.
Still, I decided on one last sweep before retreating. I circled east, keeping low, weaving through the underbrush until I found another vantage point. From here, I spotted Kael himself near the largest tent, his silhouette unmistakable even in the half-light. He was speaking to a cluster of men, his posture commanding, his hands slicing the air with authority.
“…Adrian demands readiness. The queen underestimates us, but she will see soon enough. We strike when the moons align…”
His words carried just far enough for me to catch the rhythm, the threat beneath them. The moons. That gave us a time frame, though vague. Days? Weeks? Either way, their patience was nearly spent.
I memorized every detail—the layout of the camp, the guard rotations, the strange crates, Kael’s presence—before slipping back into the woods. My body ached from crouching, my legs tight with strain, but I pushed through, retracing the route I had marked earlier.
The forest grew darker as the night stretched on. Every hoot of an owl, every rustle of leaves felt magnified, a reminder of how close I had come to discovery. Sweat trickled down my back, cold despite the chill air. I thought of my father’s words—how he believed I was destined for more, a beacon of light and darkness—and anger burned in my chest. No. My loyalty was to Lexy, to the tribe. Whatever destiny others imagined for me, I chose my own path. And tonight, that path was survival.
I met with the group and made our way back home. Watching every step and noise.
At last, the trees thinned, and the faint glow of our own watchfires flickered in the distance. Relief surged through me. Home. Safe.
We didn’t slow until we reached the outer perimeter where two of our guards stepped forward, their hands tense on their weapons. When they recognized mused, their postures eased, though their eyes lingered on the dirt and sweat smeared across my face.
“Report?” one asked.
I shook my head. “For the queen first.”
They nodded and stepped aside, letting us through. My legs carried me the final stretch back into the heart of the tribe’s encampment, where familiar faces bustled between tents, some preparing for the night watch, others huddling close to the fires for warmth. It struck me then how fragile this moment was—the calm before the storm. They had no idea how close the enemy lay, no idea that Adrian and Kael were gathering their strength just beyond the ridge.
I drew in a steady breath and walked toward the central tent where I knew Lexy and CJ would be. My report weighed heavy on my tongue, the details sharp and urgent. We had left Adrian’s camp undetected, but the danger was closer than we ever imagined.
By the time we reached the flap, my heart hammered with equal parts fear and determination. Whatever came next, I had done my part—I had seen, I had listened, and I had returned. Now it was time to tell them everything.
I pushed aside the canvas and stepped inside.
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