Elara knelt in front of him, her tone gentler than Merlin had ever heard it.
"They were wrong," she said simply. "That's all that matters now."
Cale's lips trembled. "But they—they killed my friend."
Silence.
Only the wind answered.
Merlin took a slow breath and stepped forward. He rested a hand lightly on the boy's shoulder.
"They won't hurt anyone else," he said quietly. "I promise."
Cale didn't respond, just stared down, eyes glistening.
After a few moments, the healers moved in and helped him to his feet. He was escorted toward the carriages waiting beyond the ridge, bound for the academy infirmary.
When he was gone, the field felt emptier.
Elara spoke again, her voice low. "You've seen this before."
Merlin didn't answer at first. His hand tightened at his side.
