“Good. How many settlements are we evacuating?”
“Five. Western, northern, and three scattered homesteads. Total population around four hundred wolves, roughly half civilians, half fighters.”
“Timeline?”
“If everything goes smoothly? Two days. If there's significant resistance...” he shrugs. “Could take the full three.”
“We don't have three days of smooth,” I say. “Seraphine's deadline is in four days. I want everyone inside Black River's walls by day three. That gives us one day to prepare before she makes her move.”
“And if she moves early?”
“Then we adapt.” I resume walking. “But I don't think she will. She's too arrogant. She allowed us a week to consider her terms. She'll wait the full week just to prove she's in control.”
“You're betting a lot on her psychology.”
“I'm betting
