Chapter 82: The City of False Light
By the time we reached the hillside overlooking the valley, the sun was sliding west — soft gold dragging long shadows across the landscape. Solara’s Gate looked perfect. Towers of pale stone. A river that reflected light like a mirror. Banners fluttering in clean rows. People milling through markets — laughing, chatting, bargaining.
It was… wrong.
Too clean.
Too organized.
Too staged.
Like a painting hung to hide a hole in the wall.
Ruby scanned the gate through her scope and cursed under her breath.
“That’s more guards than a neutral city needs.”
“Maybe they’re cautious,” Gaia murmured.
“No.” Ruby lowered the scope. “They’re watching. Not protecting.”
Helios approached from the rear of the ridge, carrying the folded map.
“I counted twelve g
