Chapter 27 The Path Of No Return

• The road back to the capital was long and perilous. Ariella rode at the head of her small contingent, her thoughts heavy with the knowledge of Lorian’s cryptic warning. Despite his imprisonment, his words haunted her: *You’ll find out soon enough.*
• The Elandoran countryside was eerily quiet. Villages along the route were sparsely populated, with most residents hiding behind shuttered windows. The scars of rebellion were evident everywhere—burned-out homes, abandoned farms, and whispers of fear lingering in the air.
• Kael rode beside her, his expression grim. "The people are scared," he observed. "It’ll take more than a few victories to win back their trust."