Chapter 31: The Road to Echoes
The path to the capital was not paved in stone, but in silence.
Birds didn't sing. Trees leaned as if whispering secrets. Even the wind was cautious.
Elric rode ahead, hood drawn low. His sigil throbbed under the glove—a quiet drumbeat in his bones. Beside him, Lira flipped a dagger between her fingers, watching shadows for movement, but more for distraction than danger.
"You know," she muttered, "you could've refused the letter."
"I could've also refused being born. Didn't have much choice there either."
"Philosophy doesn't suit you," she grumbled.
A voice behind them joined in. "That's because his face already looks too tired for thinking."
Keera reined in her horse, grinning. "Figured you'd sneak off without us."
"You weren't invited," Elric said.
"I don't like invitations. They come with expectations."
Sylas followed in silence, map tucked into his coat, eyes scanning every crooked root. Veyra marched behind him, cloak fluttering like a banner soaked in dusk.