Gold and crimson streaks painted the sky as the sun rose above the broken horizon. Gazing at the far-off ruins of the citadel, Zara stood on the hill with her hair blowing in the wind. Even if her resolution was burning hot inside, her breath created a mist in the chilly early air. The others in the group stirred behind her, exhausted but determined.
With his heavy boots crushing the frost-dusted grass, Kael walked softly towards her. His voice was low and worried as he remarked, "You didn't sleep again."
"How could I?" Zara answered, her voice tinged with resolve and fatigue. "They have more time to bolster their defences with every second we waste."
Kael followed her eyes to the fortress and nodded. "Those walls hold the key," he stated. But using force alone won't get you in. The traps of the Shadowbound are difficult to escape.
Zara's eyes were angry as she turned to face him. We have Lyra and Elara because of this. They have as sharp a mind as any razor.
Elara and Lyra emerged, t
