The kelp forest had given us only a brief illusion of safety. We had barely caught our breath when the distant rumble of organised movement reached us through the water, the heavy, purposeful strokes of trained soldiers cutting through the currents. Elowen's amber eyes sharpened instantly, her bloom spots flaring with a mix of irritation and that familiar battle-madness I was starting to recognise as her default setting when trouble found her.
"They're closing in faster than I expected; we need to move. Now."
She muttered, pulling her cloak tighter around her shoulders. The glowing floral patterns on her skin dimmed slightly as she tried to suppress her aura.
