The morning sun rose over Haven, casting long shadows across the village square. William stood at the edge of the healing house, watching the eastern road for any sign of the expedition. They had been gone for six weeks now—longer than expected. The waiting was the hardest part.
Elara came to stand beside him. "They'll be back soon."
"How do you know?"
"Because they have to be."
William looked at her. Her brown eyes were steady, her voice calm. She had been his anchor through so many storms. This one was no different.
"I should have gone with them," he said.
"Someone had to stay here. Someone had to lead."
"I'm not a leader."
"Yes, you are. You just don't know it yet."
---
The expedition returned on the seventh day.
William saw them from the roof of his house—a column of figures
