The air was crisp, carrying with it the scent of pine and the faint promise of winter. The coalition had made strides in uniting the region, and the stability Elena had dreamed of seemed within reach. Yet, for every milestone achieved, whispers of unrest lingered like a shadow just out of sight.
Elena stood at the edge of the council hall, overlooking the bustling square below. Merchants traded goods, children played, and villagers worked together in a harmony that had once seemed impossible. But the unease in her chest refused to fade. She had learned to trust her instincts, and they were telling her that something was amiss.
Kael joined her, his heavy boots echoing against the wooden floor. He handed her a steaming mug of tea. “You look like you haven’t slept in days.”
She accepted th
