Page 361 of Elemental Becoming

I know that name.

I remember the dinner at the outpost and the frustration in Lord Toren Hale’s voice as he pressed Thane for more support along the southern border. More patrols. More dragon riders. He warned that the attacks were growing worse and feared the realm wasn’t moving quickly enough to respond.

Greythorne guards one of the most dangerous stretches of territory in the south, just north of the Forsaken Lands. The terrain is harsh, difficult to defend, and under constant threat.

Now it has been attacked.

Across the table, Thane’s expression hardens. His voice is all commander now.

“What happened?”

Edric’s eyes meet Thane’s across the table. “The attack is still happening.”

The room goes unnaturally still.

“What do you mean still happening?” Thane demands, stepping closer to the table, his fists clenched at his sides.

“A scout reached a relay post near the mountain pass two hours ago,” Edric replies. “He reported Shadow Forces breaching the outer defenses. Multiple squads engaged. He didn’t stay. He’s a bonded rider, so he returned to the fight. Another rider at the relay post took to the skies and flew straight for the capital to deliver the message.”

The words settle heavily over the room.

Sienna’s calm voice pierces the silence. “We must send dragons.”

All eyes turn to her. She meets Thane’s gaze directly, her expression composed and unwavering.

“Even with the reinforcements you sent after their last visit to the outpost, they are still outnumbered, according to the scout’s report.”

Thane’s jaw tightens. I don’t need the bond to tell me how he feels; everyone can sense the tension rolling off him in waves.

“How many did we send?” I ask in a soft voice before I can stop myself.

Sienna turns to me. There is no judgment in her expression, only assessment.

“Three bonded riders and their dragons. About fifty infantry.” Her gaze returns to the map. “We didn’t believe an attack of this magnitude would happen so soon.”

“That was before Shadow Forces breached the line,” Garrick says. “If they’re already at Greythorne . . . ”

“Then we’re too late to stop the beginning of it,” Rian finishes grimly.

Valen speaks then, voice grave. “What we have learned as of late is that the Shadow Forces don’t move at random. If they’ve reached Greythorne, this isn’t just an attack. It’s a signal. Something is shifting.”

A chill skates down my spine.

Thane’s jaw clenches, but he inclines his head. He already knows. He’s been watching the borders for weeks, tracking the subtle changes and growing unease. He felt this coming.

“How many dragons are ready to fly?” he asks, turning to Jarek.

“Fifteen bonded are ready to fly,” Jarek says. “Not including us.”

Thane acknowledges the answer and looks around the room.

His attention settles first on Rian, silent and prepared for what comes next. Then Jarek, who looks ready to move before the command is even given. Rowena stands as solid as stone, her mind already working through possibilities and contingencies.

Then his gaze finds mine. No words pass between us, but I feel his conflict through the bond. The Warlord who knows I should go. The man who wishes I didn’t have to.

I nod, letting him know it’s okay.

I’ll be flying too.