Kael woke before dawn.
The mist still clung to the stone circle, pale ribbons coiling between the pillars. Fires had burned low, leaving red embers that glowed faintly in the dark. Most of the men still slept, their breaths heavy. Only a few guards were awake, their armor damp with dew, spears in hand.
Seris sat exactly where she had been when Kael closed his eyes—back straight, sword across her lap, watching the trees. She hadn't moved.
He pushed himself up quietly and rubbed his eyes. The forest was different now. Not silent, but too full of silence between sounds. No insects. No birds. Just the faint drip of water from leaves and the groan of heavy branches.
He stood and stretched once, then walked toward the edge of the circle. Seris rose and followed without a word.
