Chapter 80 - They Know
The scout arrived just after midday.
Covered in dirt. Breathing hard. Eyes alert in a way that made the room go quiet before he even spoke.
Silas, Rowan, Kael, and Athena were already gathered near the long map table when he entered.
"They've changed position," the scout said.
Silas's posture sharpened. "How?"
"They're not setting up defensive camps anymore."
Athena watched as he swallowed.
"They're drawing circles into the ground. Runes. Large ones."
Silas's eyes darkened immediately.
Kael stepped closer to the table. "What kind of runes?"
The scout shook his head. "I don't know the language. But they're not battle formations."
Silas didn't need more.
"They're ritual circles," he said quietly.
Athena felt the air in the room shift.
Rowan frowned. "For what?"
Silas's jaw tightened.
"Capture magic."
The word settled heavily.
Athena didn't flinch.
Didn't panic.
She only felt a strange calm settle into her chest.
"They're not trying to kill me," she said.
Silas shook his head once.
"No."
Athena's eyes moved to the map.
To the ridge.
To the boundary.
"They're trying to take me alive."
Silas met her gaze.
"Yes."
A long silence filled the room.
Then Athena said, calmly:
"Then we make sure they can't reach me."
Rowan's head tilted slightly.
Kael studied her.
Not like before.
Not with doubt.
With recognition.
She wasn't reacting.
She was thinking.
Planning.
Like she belonged at this table.
Kael's voice was quiet.
"She's thinking like a leader now."