The messenger arrived at dusk, his body covered in wounds, his voice barely a whisper.
Michael was in the garden when he heard the commotion at the gates. He walked to the entrance and found a young man collapsed on the ground, his clothes torn, his face pale. In his hand, he clutched a sealed scroll.
"Michael Voss," the man gasped. "I bring word from the southern territories. A new threat has emerged. He calls himself the Crimson Prophet. He claims to be the true heir of the First Shadow. He has gathered an army of fifty thousand followers, fanatics who believe he is the chosen one."
Michael helped the man to his feet. "Where is he now?"
"He's marching toward Thornhaven. He'll be there in five days."
---
The meeting was called within the hour.
Michael, Mira, Alexei, Scythe, Petrov,
