Chapter 117: Resistance

We tracked Zoya's trail relentlessly as she led us back towards the remote mountain village that served as hidden headquarters for the mysterious resistance group. The path felt hauntingly, disturbingly familiar, raising prickles along my skin. We had nearly reached the secluded valley stronghold when Freya threw out a hand in abrupt warning.

"Halt here. We are still too exposed to approach openly by daylight."

I followed her piercing stare to where rough-hewn log palisade walls and squat sentry towers defended the solitary steep access road winding down into the small fortified town nestled between soaring valley walls. After months spent wandering exile as vagrants, hounded by hostile forces, finally arriving within striking distance of our goal only to be stalled by exposure was vexing beyond measure.

But much as I yearned to keep pressing forward heedlessly, I knew the dragon queen's caution was warranted. Attempting to openly march straight through the front gates would only invi