After traveling relentlessly through the night, the group decided to halt in a small, secluded clearing off the road, eager to catch their breath and rest their horses before pressing on.
They had to reach the Northern land's main gate by noon, and this brief pause would give them just enough rest to get through the rest of the day.
As they dismounted, Esme was still seething over Donovan's words, so she distanced herself from the others. Once the tents were set up, she sat in silence in her own personal tent, wrapping her cloak tightly around her shoulders to shield herself against both the cold and her turbulent thoughts.
Leonardo soon joined her in her tent, knowing she needed company. Looking up, Esme was half-expecting Donovan to show up instead, but she wasn't disappointed to see Leonardo either. Meanwhile, the Alpha and the other warriors were busy refining their strategy for the night's infiltration. The final plan required precise coordination.