The night did not move.
It pressed in.
The wind shifted between them, soft but persistent, carrying the scent of smoke and distant earth.
Eir held Nolle's gaze a moment longer.
Then, she smiled.
It came easily. Too easily.
The tension in her shoulders eased, her posture loosening just enough to suggest the moment had never carried weight to begin with.
"You should see your face," she said lightly. "I was curious how long it would take you to notice."
Nolle did not return the smile. Not immediately. His eyes flicked once toward the treeline where the figure had disappeared, then back to her.
"That was a poor time for curiosity."
Eir tilted her head, as though considering the point. "Was it?"
"Yes." The answer came without hesitation.
Eir exhaled softly, as if conceding the matter.
"A scout," she said. "Someone I commissioned ahead of the journey. The routes beyond this stretch are less familiar to me than they are to you. I thought it… prudent to verify what lies ahead."
