The morning after the solstice feast brought a heavy quiet to the fortress courtyard. The hundreds of candles that had blazed in the iron chandeliers were nothing but cold stubs of tallow now, and the great hall was empty, save for two older omegas quietly sweeping up the stray pine needles and spilled ale crusts from the lower benches.

Nila walked out into the open air, pulling her heavy charcoal wool cloak tight against her chin. The air didn't carry the violent wind of the river bank, but it was thick with cold that made her leather boots creak slightly against the frosted gravel. She took a slow, deep breath,...