Ascent to the Hoard

POV: Seryna

The pine needles crunched under Rajar’s heavy boots as we cleared the tree line. My hand rested flat against my lower stomach, guarding the fragile spark of life inside me. Normally, I would have shifted into my true form, snapped massive leathery wings against the mountain drafts, and reached my sanctuary in less than an hour. But shifting now carried too many risks. The violent surg