Open sky, elevated ruins, a mountain pass, a sanctuary, a wind corridor, a border between regions.

The group does not see Darcmon first.

What they notice first is:

the wind aligning itself against their advance

the sound of wings… many of them, but ordered

shadows passing overhead without attacking

Then, the wind stops.

And then she descends.

She does not fall. She does not land heavily. She positions herself.

Four wings spread, sword lowered, tip toward the ground. She does not take a combat stance.

“You did not cross this line by mistake.” (brief pause) “So decide how you will proceed.”