The silence of the night wrapped around the military quarters like a cloak, heavy and solemn. Most of the troops had retired, the halls dimmed and still, save for the occasional flicker of torchlight dancing on the stone walls. Iyana closed the last of her files with a soft thud, her fingers briefly pausing over the edge of the folder. The hour was late, and she was finally ready to leave.
Just as she left her office, she heard footsteps behind her.
"Commander."
She turned to find Elijah standing there, his eyes bright despite the hour.
"Sorry to stop you on your way home. I wanted to thank you," he said, his voice steady but carrying a trace of honest emotion. "For choosing me as vice-commander. I didn't think you would. I thought… Terrence would be the one you picked."
Iyana's gaze held his, unreadable for a moment before she responded, "You earned it."
Her tone was cool, decisive—devoid of flattery, but not without sincerity.
