A crimson sun hung over the pine forests on the western slopes of the Molarin Mountains, painting the sky a gorgeous shade of red. A gentle wind made the trees sway, bringing with it the sweet scents of spring. The air was crisp and pleasantly cool. How long had it been since she had wandered alone in a forest? Too long, in her estimation. She wouldn’t trade her life with Kalia for anything, but there were days when she missed the pristine beauty of nature.
From her perch on a high plateau, Desa Nin Leean watched the sunset.
She sat with her legs curled up against her chest, smiling as the breeze teased her short, brown hair. “Perfection.” Closing her eyes, she breathed deeply and savoured every sensation. The hard rock beneath her, the slight chill in the air, the smell of pine needles
