“Kirin! How many times do I have to tell you to stop doing this?” Mark shouted out, his hands raising in the air. His whole body shook with annoyance. “I’ve been here like couple of times every day!”

The boy he was talking to lowered his tablet with exaggerated slowness. “I thought you would have learnt by now.” He looked at his kind of a friend from under his eyelashes.

Mark was an interesting guy. He was older, or thought himself so, and tried to act a grown up. It was clear he had no idea what being one meant and was aiming too high. Passing orders from supervisors, coming to pick Kirin up for everything, or trying to. Most of the time he wasn’t able to find him.

“But you need to join us! It’s in the schedule!”

His try hard was fun to watch, but sometimes he could be a bit of a bore. That was his biggest minus. He should learn to think for himself. “And?”

“What do you mean and? We need to go!”

“Pft, don’t wanna,” Kirin said, returning his eyes to the tablet. He had a game of cards open. It wasn’t the greatest entertainment but better than running in the mud. That might be interesting for an hour, two at most, but everyday?

A tremble passed his body at the thought. No one was going to force him into that. It was pure torture.

The single person he talked to in this camp came closer to glance at his tablet. “Full battery? You’re always on it but there shouldn’t be any sockets to charge it in your room...”

“There isn’t.” He smiled at the memory. If he had learnt anything in Regal Dream, it was sneaking around. Supervisors had no chance of protecting their rooms against him.

It was annoying to go into their rooms, offices every day but it was better than the alternative. He wasn’t going to join those activities. They were good for the first few times. Not more.

They were just so repetitive... How could anyone like them? The question puzzled him but humans were strange things. He never presumed to understand them. It was easy guessing what they will do but the reasoning evaded him more often than not.

“Think the man caught his fish?” he asked. Mark’s head snapped up to look at him. There was a stupefied expression on his face as he tried to grasp what was asked. Kirin rolled his eyes and explained. “It’s been more than a week since we met the man. Think he caught at least a single fish by now?” He waited a moment before adding. “When is canoeing scheduled next?”

“Later this afternoon. It’s the last one so we’re going on a longer route.”

“Hmm... You going to join me? Or have you found someone else to keep you company?”

It wouldn’t be too surprising. Mark was a nice kid, all things considered. He should be liked by most. Rich kids maybe not just because, but others shouldn’t have this problem.

The boy looked at him for a moment. “I’ll go with you!” Mark said with a shine in his eyes. He grabbed Kirin by the shoulder and did his best to get him up. “Let’s go then!”

It was swift and unexpected, making Kirin lose his focus for a moment. Tablet slipped through his fingers and he heard a loud crack. His eyes went downwards to see minuscule pieces of glass shattered near his feet.

Tablet lay on its monitor, black side up, but he didn’t need to turn the thing over. It was pretty obvious and without doing anything. Mark had released his hand so he stepped away with a care, making sure not to step on any glass pieces.

One still managed to get stuck to his foot so he leaned against a tree, brushing it off. At least he didn’t get cut. ‘Could I have?’ he wondered for a moment before making a circle to get his sandals. It was better not to risk.

“I’m so sorry!” Mark started, getting out of his shock. “I didn’t mean to! I’m so sorry!” There were tears in his eyes as he grasped his hands before his mouth, muffling the words. “I-I didn’t think...”

“Don’t sweat it,” Kirin muttered, a frown on his face. It would have been nice if the thing had survived a few more days. What will he do to amuse himself now?

Camp activities were out of the question.

“I-I’ll m-mak-ke it up to you!” Mark snivelled. He was watching the destroyed tablet with mortification. “I-I’ll ask, ask my parents to-to buy a new one! They, they will do it!” His voice had turn shrill, reaching banshee levels by the end.

Kirin covered his ears, pretending it pained him. “You should calm a bit, you’re going to make me lose my hearing.”

The boy turned to him, eyes blinking in confusion. “Whaa?”

“Wipe your tears, didn’t you say we were going canoeing now?”

“Yes, b-but you-your tablet! It-it’s..!” he started, tearing up as he looked back at the destruction at their feet.

It was getting annoying. “Forget about it. Do you see me caring?” he asked, marching off towards the river. He didn’t walk too fast and Mark soon caught up with him. Somewhat of a relief.

The boy was still snivelling when they were near the main campus. “Stay here,” Kirin told him in a hard voice. Mark nodded eyes wide. Kirin wasn’t sure what he was so afraid of but left him alone nonetheless.

Near one of the offices he found a helper. He was reading a magazine and looked up at his approach with little happiness. Kirin smiled at him angelically, putting on an embarrassed expression.

“What happened?” the helper asked, putting his magazine on a small table beside. It was even easier than Kirin had expected. He said that there was a problem and the helper should go investigate.

Helper asked him to lead but Kirin got himself out, saying he had other engagements. Supposedly, one of the supervisors had called him. The man breathed out, picked his magazine and left in the direction indicated.

Kirin smiled after him. Children were supposed to clean their messes. It was a learning experience or something. But if some adult found broken glass, he had to remove it even if they knew who’d done it. They couldn’t leave something so dangerous for other children to wander in.

Mark was still in his place so Kirin motioned for him to follow and they made their way to the river. Canoeing was going to start in a few hours so they sat on the bridge, legs in water.

Sun was shining in Kirin’s so he closed them, falling back. Warmth bathed him and he let himself drift away. Today seemed to be a better day than usual. Something unpredictable had happened and there were a few more possible surprises coming.

**

Snow glistened in the light of a ball of fire. It was hovering above a group of people’s heads, making shadows dance on their faces. Their expressions were anything but happy.

“Done!” one of the players hissed. “I’m done and leaving! You won’t stop me!”

“As if I would try!” another answered with a sneer. He waved the other guy off like his words meant nothing. “Feel free to pick your cowardly friends too! I don’t need weaklings like you!”

The first person glared at the second. “I sure will. Come on guys. We’re done with this madman!”

Grumbles agreeing to him came from the group and a large part of it split to join one of the arguing people, the leaving one.

The rest stayed in their place, looking back and forth. It was clear from their faces they didn’t know what to choose. Neither side was particularly tempting to them.

Only one guy didn’t seem to be interested in the argument at all. He was sitting on a dead dragon’s claw, writing in his journal. An ink bottle sat to his right on the verge of falling.

The man stabilised the bottle as he dipped the feather pen in and bit his lip, squinting at his journal. The ball of fire was far and brought him mostly shadows. Still he soon leaned forward and started writing again.

In that time, another third of the group had moved. Other players were making their decisions based on band feeling and moving away too. In a minute the second person was left standing alone.

His eyes had narrowed, lips curled in disgust but he didn’t say anything. It was clear to him that it was too late for words. No one was going to listen to him so he turned and walked towards the darkness.

A female went after, her grey dress making her seem like a ghost on the snow.

The main body of the group watched and then turned on their heels. Their goal lay in another direction.

Dark stared at both paths, unable to decide where to go. He had to make sure the mission succeeded. It sounded so easy at the beginning. So clear and simple.

When most died, it became even more obvious. He just had to help them survive and explore the mountains. It was clear.

Then the hunt of spirits began. He had stayed hidden most of the time, aiding only when the situation looked dangerous. This was a strange kind of relation but it was simple. He knew what he had to do.

But now?

It would look like he should follow the main part. That would be the most logical decision but they were backing out. They were trying to return home. Unfinished with the mission.

The archer instead was planning to continue. But he was alone! Well, two if he counted the priestess but it hardly made it better. There were just too few of them! Dark didn’t believe they could achieve anything. At all.

So his question still stood. What was he supposed to do now? What was the mission anyway? He tried to think but his mind came up blank. There wasn’t the slightest idea of what the true goal of their expedition had been.

The official story was that it was exploring. Dark believed it but at the same time it felt really shallow. Leaders should have had more reason than that. L was on the verge of war, he wouldn’t have sent them for simple exploring, would he?

It didn’t sound logical. There had to be something he wasn’t seeing. Something he wasn’t told. And now it was too late to ask. No one was here to explain things to him.

Sound of a person standing up woke him from his dreaming. He glanced to the bones and saw Nein dusting himself off. The man put his journal, ink and pen away, choosing to move forward. Straight towards Dark.

“So what are you doing? Going forward or backing out?”

“What?” Dark asked, giving himself out. The mage’s eyes snapped right to his hiding place. Apparently, he’d known only the general direction.

But it was too late to stay hidden. Dark crawled out of his hole and slid to the ground. A shiver passed his body from the move and he felt the cold enter his bones. The weather had never warmed up and it wasn’t good practice to walk with a blanket over your shoulders.

“Why are you here?” he asked the mage, looking at his boots. They were dark brown with sharp noses, no ornaments or gems in sight.

“I always liked a good mystery,” Nein answered, putting his hands in his pockets. A curious thing. Dark didn’t think he’d seen another robe with pockets. It must have been a commissioned design. “Think you can give me a few hints?”

Dark raised his head a bit. The mage was looking at him with half a smile, a glint of superiority in his eyes. He didn’t consider Dark anything more than a pawn in his game. Whatever that was.

He reminded him of father a lot.

Bad memory. Dark did his best to push it away but his eyes still found their way to the ground. He stayed still, unsure of how to act. Should he just leave? Try answering? But what could he say?

“Do you know, all people are a mess in their own special way,” the mage said. He moved closer, putting a hand over Dark’s shoulder and whispered in his ear. “Some are more hidden, like you.” His voice grew even quieter. “Others a bit more obvious. This Hawk character and...” He waited a moment. “That master of yours.”

Dark’s head snapped up, almost colliding with Nein’s. Their eyes met and the mage’s were alight with knowledge. He knew more than he let on. Probably more than anyone ever gave him credit for.

“My master?” he asked, voice choking at the end.

“Oh, don’t pretend with me,” Nein said, releasing his shoulder but not stepping away. “There’s no way that lord has a rogue group and it doesn’t report to his best assassin. So where’s the guy? I’ve been waiting for days and he’s yet to make an appearance.”

“What do you want from him?”

The mage took a step back, hands crossed. “Why would I tell you that?”

“I’m not talking then,” Dark answered, turning on his heel and starting to walk as fast as he could. It was close to running but he’d learned to forget about pride long ago. That emotion never brought anything good.

He was next to a cave entrance when he bumped into something. Head raising he saw a tall teenager dressed in jeans and a leather jacket. He had silver chains hanging all over him, a lot of them with crosses at the ends.

Dark had never seen him before.

Before he could try and move around, Nein’s voice drifted from behind. “I still want my answers. It would be better if you agreed to play nice.”

There were rumours about Nein’s strength. Or more like Dark had seen people’s fear. They let him do whatever he wanted and never said a thing. It more than anything showed how dangerous he was.

But death wasn’t an option to Dark. He might have not decided what to do, but dying wasn’t a possibility. One of the groups still had to be followed. And he should get a move on or they might enter some branch, getting wiped out.

“What do you want from him?” he asked again, turning to face the mage. This time he kept his eyes up, not letting them stray in any direction.

Nein looked at him. After a very long minute he motioned for the chain guy to join him. “Fine. I want to see what makes him special. He’s unique and that’s interesting. And I like interesting.”

It was a strange confession. Dark wasn’t sure what to make of it. Was it good? Bad? What did it mean anyway? His confusion should have been all over his face for the mage talked once more.

“All I want is to see what makes him tic. I won’t try to kill or use him if that’s what you’re worried about.” He chuckled. “Though, I doubt that is possible. He seems to be keen on being his own master no matter the circumstances.”

That was truth. It was the thing Dark admired most in him.

So was it okay? The man looked to be innocent, just wanting to learn more about his idol like Dark. But that innocence was what made him distrust the mage. From his life he’d learnt that easy smiles were worn by the worst people.

His parents had such. Their competitors had such. Ambitious employees that would stop at nothing to get higher had them. People that played Dark for a fool too.

Not one good person wore them.

That’s why Wing was so special. He was powerful, dangerous but he never smiled. Truthful, that was the word to describe him. He didn’t hide the fact that he was a monster.

“Hey, you still here?’ the mage asked without patience, his friend gone somewhere.

“He was never here and not supposed to,” Dark answered. He wasn’t sure if it was right, but he couldn’t die. Master had told him to finish the mission and that was above things he thought he should do. Like keep secrets. Things he didn’t even knew if it were secrets.

The mage’s face twisted with annoyance. “So what were you doing here? Why only he alone never attended?”

It was a good question. One Dark didn’t know an answer to. He wasn’t privy to such knowledge. “I was told to ensure this expedition’s success. No one told me anything more.”

“Is that all? Do you even know the reason behind this?”

“No.”

“And yet you went so far to achieve victory?” Nein shook his head. “Admirable. Stupid, but admirable. So my very first question still stands. What are you going to do now?”

Dark let his eyes roam to both exits. He still had no idea. “I was thinking.”

The mage gave him a look. “That’s not an answer.” He turned to where Hawk had went with the priestess. “We should follow them before they get themselves killed.”

“We?”

“You didn’t think I was going to let you go alone, did you? I stayed with these kids for too long to keep you in my sight,” the mage said with a smirk, stroking his goatee.

Dark had nothing to say. The mage was a smarter person than him. If he thought it was the best decision, it probably was.

**

DING DING

DING DING

DING DING

“I think he would have heard if he was here,” Mark said, glancing at the other houses. He thought he saw a curtain being drawn with great swiftness but it might have been his imagination. “We should leave.”

His friend shook his head. “No way. And it’s not like we even have anywhere to go. They’ll take a few hours to notice we’re missing.”

DING DING

DING DING

DING DING

“Stop this!” came a shout from the house. “Can’t a man sleep in this accursed country?”

“Not if he’s made a promise,” Kirin answered in a louder tone. His face had lighted up at the voice, mouth turning into a wide smile. “I knew he was here,” he said to Mark in a whisper.

His friend didn’t answer so he turned to him. The older kid had distrust written all over; shifting from one leg to another, mouth in a line, eyes moving back and forth. It wouldn’t have been more obvious if he was shouting it.

“We don’t know this person. He’s a total stranger!” he whisper-shouted in Kirin’s ear. “How do we know he’s a good person?”

“We don’t,” Kirin answered, mirth dancing in his eyes. “That’s the fun of it!”

The answer didn’t look like it calmed the other boy but it was too late to turn back. Door opened and a dishevelled head peeked out. The man was rubbing his left eye, standing half-dressed.

“Oh, it’s you rascals. What are you doing here so early?” he asked in a gruff voice.

Kirin pushed through him into the house as if he owned the place. “You have horrible morning hair,” he said on his way. “And who sleeps till afternoon when waiting for guests? That’s bad manners.”

The house consisted of two rooms. First was the kitchen living room kind of thing. At the right was a small, rusty oven with cabinets on the side. They were littered with fast food wrappers, used kitchenware and empty ale bottles.

On the other side of the room was a low crimson sofa. Coffee table with a computer on it stood in front and a TV hung on the wall. It was black, taking over half of the room. It was turned on. Some sports channel was on but the sound was off.

The man passed Kirin, closing bedroom doors at the far end. “What are you doing here? I don’t think I’ve invited you in.”

“What?” Kirin asked, coming to poke the man’s chest with his finger. “Who said he was going to give us the feast of our lives? Huh?” The man stayed silent so he continued. “Or was I right and you didn’t catch a single fish the whole week?”

The man groaned. “It’s too early for this nonsense.”

“So you’re a liar?”

“Little rascal. Don’t they feed you there? Why are you bothering me?”

Kirin pushed cans off the sofa along with some magazines before plopping down. It was just the right size for him and he leaned back, a content expression on his face. “They do but their cooks are boring. Six year olds could come up with more imaginative recipes.”

“I wouldn’t dare to try them,” muttered the man, putting a shirt over his head. Kirin chuckled as he motioned for Mark to join him. The boy was standing on the doorstep, shuffling in indecision. “And you think I’m a better cook?”

“You can’t be worse,” Kirin answered, putting his legs on the coffee table. This was much better. He wished he’d had this in his room in the camp. It would have made everything so much more comfortable. “You also promised to make us a feast.”

The man went to the kitchen side, took a swig of ale before turning back to face Kirin. “And you think it’s a good idea to enter stranger houses?”

“It’s not the worst thing. Life is more interesting if you take a few risks.”

“What if they get you killed?”

“All for the better,” Kirin said, giving the man a look that made him wonder who in the world was this kid. There was darkness in his eyes even he couldn’t match. “It’s been a long while coming.”

“Some why I get the feeling I don’t want to know the details,” he said to himself more than the kid, opening the fridge.

He had bought a trout in the market a few days ago and hadn’t used it up yet. It was too large for him alone so this was as good a time as any. Fact was he didn’t often have company.

When he went outside to light a grill, Mark came to Kirin. “I don’t like this,” he whispered.

“You should really calm down,” Kirin told him, dragging him down to the sofa. “It’s time you learnt that not everyone is evil. Most? Sure, but not all. There are a few decent people and most of them look dangerous or crazy. If you ever feel like someone is a good person at first sight, don’t ever trust him. He’s a liar and a pretender.”

The look on Mark’s face said he had a hard time believing that but he didn’t argue. Maybe he was learning. It was time he understood that it did nothing.

In an hour the man was done and they were all sitting outside. There was a green painted table with two benches on either side. They were pretty low and the table high, forcing Kirin to sit on his knees.

There was a plate before him and a knife with a fork. He watched them before picking the fish with his bare fingers. It was quite hot so he tore a piece and dropped in his mouth.

Not the best idea. It burnt his throat and he had to douse with half a glass of water. His two companions gave him strange looks but didn’t say a word. They were really learning.

He tried another bite but this time blew air to make sure it was cold. To his surprise the fish tasted really good. He dug in without any shame, eating his full share and asking for more.

The man was surprised at first but soon a shadow of a smile graced his face. It wasn’t a full fledged one. Far from it but it meant a lot. Kirin grinned to himself and finished his meal.

Supervisors would be coming soon. He thought he heard their engines. They were still away but no more than a few minutes. Sad thing. The true camping experience will be over soon.

He wondered if he would have enjoyed it more if all of it had been like this. Going wherever he wanted and meeting people was fun. Playing on their weak sides even more.

But it would get boring in time too. Of that he was sure. So maybe it was good that this was a single experience. Much more treasured then.

He wasn’t sure it made it worth, though. The camp itself had been a disaster. They tried to make him join stupid games, follow idiotic rules and act like a moron. None of which he did and got on the wrong side of everyone.

Only the fact that he had reserved the best class place kept him from being punished all day long every day of the week. Money made everything easy and other people nice. What a stupid little thing.

The buzzing of engines came closer and he closed his eyes for a moment. Few days more and he’d be home. In that stupid place with nothing to do and nowhere to go.

What fun.

**

Rowena was flying as fast as her wings could carry her. Air currents were pushing her back but she ignored them, flapping her wings twice as much. There was no time to waste.

She dived downwards, spiralling to evade a dozen arrows shot her way. They whisked, brushing her feathers but not hitting. Still alive. She caught herself, extending her wings, avoiding a volley of fire balls and ice spears.

Air current rose her and she started moving again. Wings flapping in swift jabs took her out of immediate danger but she didn’t feel safe. For all she knew they were going to cast some spell that chased right after her, impossible to be dodged.

But if she was fast enough she could reach her battlements before being shot down. Nothing should be able to kill her in one hit. She was stronger than that.

Wall was upcoming when something pierced her wing. There was hardly any feel to it but she found herself falling. No matter how often she flapped, her right wing didn’t listen. It hung limp at her side.

And she was spiralling towards the ground at great speed.

Her left wing wasn’t capable of holding her afloat. Not even in a glide. She had to brace for the impact.

Ground closed in and Rowena shifted into an armadillo, rolling into the shield. It was hardly going to help but little protection was better than nothing.

Bone shield broke and pain laced her back. A whimper escaped her lips but there was no time. She turned into a bear and started running on all fours.

But her right paw was too mangled to hold her weight. It gave under her and almost fell over herself. Her lack of speed was the only reason she didn’t get injured more.

Yet everything hurt. All she wanted to do was to change into a more comfortable position and stay there forever. That would have been so awesome.

Heat washed over her back as she was pushed deeper into the ground as something exploded over her. She wasn’t going to be left alone. Not before she died, at least.

Through pain she pushed herself up and started moving again. She didn’t put any more weight on the right paw and it went a lot smoother. For a crawl. She wouldn’t have dared to call that a walk.

She tried to increase her speed but the wounds twinged, muscles sore from overuse. The agony was too much and she groaned, slowing down. No, no more speed was possible. It was good she was moving.

A volley of arrows fell on her head. Most missed but a few found their mark. Her pierced hip burned. Three shafts in her back ached. How was she supposed to move through that?

“Turn into something smaller!” someone hissed in her ear. Rowena turned her head to see a growling cheetah standing next to her. It had its head raised, following the sky with black beady eyes.

“Sister,” she whispered with more relief than she ever thought she’d feel. “You’ve come.”

The large cat snapped, barely missing her neck. “Shapeshift! You’re asking to be hit!”

Finally, Rowena understood what was being asked and shifted into a kitten. It was no more than a month old in size and the cheetah grabbed her by the scruff in its teeth.

Rowena’s bones rattled and she considered that being hit and dying might have been better. This was pure torture. Her right paw was lolling, hitting against the cheetah’s neck and her own body. It was more than she could bear.

When she thought, she couldn’t take any more, she felt herself sailing through the air. The cat had thrown her upwards and sharp claws dug into her back. She squealed too late. But before she could do anything more, ground met her with a gentle touch.

She opened her eyes to see a giant bird over her head. It was flapping its wings with obvious slowness, so she wouldn’t be disturbed. What a considerate animal.

In a moment it settled on the ground and turned into her eldest sister. She leaned and picked Rowena up with gentle fingers. “You little, hero. I never thought I’d see you in this position.”

“Neither did I,” Rowena whispered back with an exhale. Her words were so soft she wasn’t sure her sister could hear them.

A chuckle came from behind her and she tried to turn her head but it hurt. In an instant she gave up and closed her eyes, focusing on her breathing. It meant paying attention to the pain too and a wince came unto her face.

“You’re a mess,” the cheetah said in a deeper voice than her sister usually talked. “Maybe you’re finally coming into your own, huh?”

“Healer would be nice,” Rowena hissed, not opening her eyes. They could make fun of her later on, when she could actually care about it.

There was a pair of quick steps and she heard a chant. White light enveloped her body and warmth entered. For a moment she felt great and then everything was gone. Pain too.

She jumped off her sister’s hands and landed into her human form. When she turned, four people stood close by. Two were her sisters in all their tattooed glory with Monthu and a cleric standing next to them.

There was a frown on the man’s face, the burrowing of a brow. “What did you see?” he asked without any stupid questions of whether she was fine. That was nice. For once she wasn’t taken as a child.

“I was flying overhead when movement farther to the north caught my eye. You didn’t warn me about any scouts so I went to investigate.” She twisted a strand of her hair between her fingers. “They shot at me.”

“Did you get a good look? How many of them were there?”

“Sure,” Rowena said with a roll of her eyes. “I could count the arrows coming my way and there were more than I would have cared for.” Monthu clenched his teeth and she instantly changed her direction. “I saw five parties of rangers and many more running on the ground.”

Her elder sister leaned against her side, putting hands around her neck. “Anything that would actually be useful?”

“It was more than a scouting party. There were more than a hundred people moving in the trees! I’d say, they have come!” she said, staring into Monthu’s eyes, wanting him to believe. She wasn’t lying! Or overstating to get attention!

He watched her for a moment then nodded. “Okay. You did well. Rest now.” In a moment he was gone with the cleric, leaving her with the sisters.

She freed herself from the middle one and turned to see them both with serious expression on their faces. It made her feel uncomfortable and she shuffled in place. “What are you guys doing here?” she asked, trying to escape the sudden silence.

“When did she grow up?” the eldest asked the other. “Mila, did you notice?”

The other shook her black haired head. “No, Aleena. I wouldn’t stand frozen if I had.”

Rowena glared at them both. “Stop it!” But they ignored her.

“So what are we going to do now?’ Mila continued. “Can we no longer give her all the most annoying tasks? Order her around?”

“How did we let that happen?” Aleena whispered with a hand to her mouth. “We have failed! How are we going to live now?”

“I don’t know!” her middle sister said, raising her hands up. “Everything’s changed now!”

Rowena turned to leave them to their games when Mila jumped on her back. “Oh, don’t be such a spoiled brat. We’re praising you!”

“Right,” she hissed, trying to free herself. It was harder when her sister didn’t want to let go. “Get off me!”

“Let our young hero go,” Aleena said with a laugh. She came to hug and kiss Rowena on the cheek. “We’re proud of our little sister. You should know that.”

Rowena disentangled herself, holding her head down to hide a small smile. It wasn’t often she heard those words. Not that she was going to let them know how much they meant to her. Her sisters were too full of themselves already.

Sound of horns blowing made all their faces turn grim. They shifted into birds, flying to the battlements and landing on the wall. From this position together with Monthu and other defenders they watched soldiers leaving the forest.

They weren’t anything more than dots running on the map but there were hundreds of them. Thousands coming into view as they continued to follow their movements. Rowena had thought she’d seen most of the people in the woods but it was nothing in comparison.

“This is...” she whispered but no adjective came to her mind. The numbers were more than her brain was ready to comprehend.

Others kept their mouths shut but their expressions told everything. There were frowns on all of them. Every single person standing on the wall. She had a feeling her included.

Horns sounded again and more people came on the walls. Hisses and curses could be heard from here and there, a couple of gasps.

“It’s here,” Monthu whispered, all eyes turning to him. “War is upon us.”