The dawn broke over the settlement, cold and gray. I stood on the roof of the council building, my eyes scanning the horizon. The sky was heavy with clouds, the air thick with the promise of rain. Somewhere out there, Decimus was gathering his forces. Somewhere out there, the next battle was taking shape. But I wasn't going to wait for him. I was going to find him. "Aldric." A voice came from behind me. I turned. It was a young woman named Flavia. She'd joined us a few weeks ago, a refugee from one of the Outland settlements. "The scouts are back. They've found Decimus's location." "Where?" "The old underground bunker. In the northern sector." "Then we go." "Alone?" "No." I looked at her, my eyes cold. "We go together. Everyone who's willing to fight." --- The meeting was called

