Chapter 146 - The Raven's Resurgence, A Desperate Siege

The southern road deteriorated with each passing mile. What began as well-maintained thoroughfares gradually gave way to rutted paths marked by the unmistakable signs of conflict. My body ached from days in the saddle, but I refused to show weakness before the men who followed me.

"Another one," Cassian said grimly, pointing to black smoke rising in the distance.

We crested a hill to find a village smoldering below, the fourth we'd encountered since crossing into the border territories. Unlike the others, this one still had survivors—haggard villagers picking through the ruins of their homes.

"Halt the column," I ordered, then turned to the captain of our supplies wagon. "Distribute food and blankets to these people. And find their elder—I would speak with them."

As our soldiers helped the villagers, a stooped woman with sharp eyes approached my horse. Her face bore the weathered evidence of a hard life made harder by recent events.