Thalen awoke to eerie silence. Outside his window, no Memory Flame torches flickered across the valley. No hum of Border Watch. Instead, heavy fog crawled in from the west, swallowing the ramparts in pale gray.
He dressed fast and hurried to the courtyard. A hush filled the space, broken only by the distant clang of an empty lamp being struck.
Renal met him at the gate. His face was pale.
"They're missing," Renal said, voice low. "Three Crown liaison officers from Post Four—no sign of forced entry."
Thalen narrowed his eyes. He spun to the lantern-lit archways. "Find them."
Renal nodded. "Riders searching. Same patrols reported seeing a hooded figure entering the wood at dawn."
Thalen absorbed the words. "Then we go. Five riders, discreet. Elara, Marek, three Reuven scouts. I'll go with Varos and Embers."
Renal's gaze flickered. "Crown will send riders too."
Thalen exhaled. "Make it quiet. We don't need alarm."
