The year passed quickly.
William stood at the edge of the village, watching the sun rise over the mountains. It had been a year since the Envoy's visit. A year since the Shadow Council had given him their ultimatum. A year of building, of growing, of hoping.
Elara came to stand beside him. "They're coming."
"I know."
"Are you ready?"
William looked at the village behind him. At the fields, the houses, the people. At Anna, working in the workshop. At Vesper, tending to patients in the healing house. At Marcus, bent over his research. At Kael, standing watch on the hill.
"I'm ready."
---
The Shadow Council's army arrived at noon.
They came over the eastern hill—a thousand soldiers in black armor, their banners bearing the silver tree of the Saint. At their head rode the Envoy, his h
