Chapter 6 — Iron Trials

Morning trumpets shattered the kennel’s uneasy hush. Captain Thorn unlocked Cell Nine with a clatter. “Rise, moon-maid. Alpha Rurik calls court.”

Ophelia pushed to her feet, straw clinging to her braid. “Court?” she rasped, voice raw from night chill.

“Trial of merit.” Thorn clipped a lighter chain to her collar. “Perform well and you’ll sleep indoors. Fail and… well, the cliff trap is quick.”

A spark of defiance flickered in her eyes. “Lead on.”

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#### The Yard of Blades

Ironclaw warriors ringed the dirt arena, breath frosting the dawn. Rurik lounged atop a stone dais, helm abandoned for a wolf-pelt mantle. Beside him stood a slender woman in healer’s gray—Sage Ysra, Ophelia later learned—holding a tray of glass vials.

Rurik lifted a hand; silence fell. “Moonfang maid, step forward.”

Ophelia did, chain trailing.