Chapter 86: What Can Be Held (Part 2 of 2)

  The debrief was quiet.

  Maps updated. Notes exchanged. No praise. No blame.

  Commander Pelin asked two questions.

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  Laurent answered them.

  That was enough.

  Outside, the squad regrouped.

  No cheering. No boasting. Just the fragile relief of having walked back inside the walls.

  Laurent looked at them.

  Harin’s jaw clenched too tight. Jorin stared at nothing. Tomas paced, breath sharp, eyes already pulling forward. Olen rubbed his hands together like he needed to prove they still worked.

  “You did well,” Laurent said.

  No one answered immediately.

  Mira adjusted her grip. Jevan nodded once and sat.

  Contained.

  Not loyal.

  That would do.

  Later, Laurent stood near the inner wall again, watching patrol lights trace disciplined arcs across stone.

  He hadn’t taken ground.

  He hadn’t won anything.

  But he had learned what could be held—and what couldn’t—without breaking the people placed in his care.

  That would have to be enough.

  For now.