Nia’s Pov
The sun had disappeared, and the sky was now a dark purple, stretching long shadows across the northern border. The air was colder, and the chaos didn’t stop. If anything, it felt even worse.
I stayed close behind Rowan, moving as he moved, trying to mirror his steps, though every inch of my body ached. My feet throbbed painfully inside my shoes, and my calves burned from hours of standing and walking. But I didn’t dare stop. There were still people trapped near the northern ridge, families, children, elders and Rowan was everywhere at once, moving like he could bend the chaos to his will.
He bent to help a healer lift a stretcher, his muscles tense and precise. A soldier froze in confusion, and Rowan’s voice cut through the noise with calm authority: “Over here! Move the pati
