The messenger arrived at midnight, her horse lathered with sweat, her face pale with exhaustion.
Michael was in the garden, unable to sleep as usual, when he heard the thunder of hooves approaching the community center. He walked to the front entrance and found a young woman sliding from her saddle, her legs barely able to support her.
"I need to speak with Michael Voss," she gasped. "Urgently."
"I'm Michael Voss."
She handed him a sealed scroll, the wax bearing the sigil of the Alliance—three interlocking rings. "From Commander Elara. She said you must read it immediately."
Michael broke the seal and read the message by the dim light of the entrance lantern. His blood went cold.
Michael Voss,
The Alliance is under attack. A warlord named Kaelen has conquered seven cities in the las
