The knights worked quickly, clearing the battlefield of bodies while others scannedthe forest for any other remaining threats. The metallic tang of blood lingered in the air. Ronan cleaned his blade, his fiery axe now dulled.
He glanced over at Aurelia, scrubbing dried blood from her forearm with a calm precision.
"Not bad," Ronan remarked as he approached her, his tone casual.
Aurelia didn't look up. "First time I've killed someone since the bandit raid six years ago," she said evenly. "Doesn't bother me."
Ronan tilted his head, studying her. "No guilt like last time?"
She paused, her gaze drifting toward Lady Seraphina, who was kneeling beside Cedric, soothing the frightened boy. "They were bad people," she said simply. "If it means protecting kids like him, I'd do it a thousand times over."
Ronan's sharp grin softened ever so slightly. "Good answer."
