The morning sun rose over the eastern mountains, painting the sky in shades of gold and rose. William stood at the edge of the Empress's camp, watching the soldiers pack their belongings, strike their tents, prepare for their journey home. The camp that had once housed an army of a hundred was now a scattering of families, farmers, and builders.
The Empress walked to stand beside him.
"I never thought I would see this day," she said.
"What day?"
"The day my army became a village."
William looked at her. Her dark eyes were calm, her face relaxed. The hunger that had once burned behind her gaze was gone.
"Change takes time," he said.
"I am learning that."
---
The villagers from the eastern valley arrived at midday.
Kaelen led them—a column of farmers, healers, and builders, their c
