The distant skyline shimmered with the faint silhouette of the settlement, its tall, wooden barricades barely visible against the fading horizon. Relief washed over the caravan like a gentle wave, replacing the tension that had gripped us since the ravine. The survivors whispered prayers under their breath, their spirits momentarily lifted.
"We're close," Silvermane said, her sharp eyes fixed on the distant walls.
Dren exhaled, the first hint of relief softening his features. "If they're still standing, they'll have supplies and shelter. Maybe even reinforcements."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Ember said, though her tone lacked its usual sharpness. "We don't know what's waiting for us there."
The Heartseed pulsed faintly against my chest, its warmth a quiet reminder of the journey still ahead. The closer we got to the settlement, the heavier it felt, as though it sensed what lay beyond those walls.
