CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The sun peered over the southern hills of the Red Island with a seeming reluctance, hesitating slightly before continuing its journey upward into the sky, greeting that portion of Oakvalor in its full brightness. The moon had already deserted the expanse, leaving it full of the trailing stars until the time when the sun should blot out their trek over the horizon with its glorious presence.
Not a cloud, gray, black or otherwise was to be seen on that day. On all areas of the Island not shaded by some larger body, such as the mountains or trees, the morning dew glittered with the beauty of diamonds, countless as the grains of earth of which Oakvalor was composed.
The side of the mountain facing the valley was by no means covered in shadow, allowing the three watchers at t
