The moon hung low in the sky, its light casting a cold, silvery glow across the battlements of Valtoria. The wind, bitter and sharp, howled through the narrow streets, carrying with it a sense of foreboding that clung to the air like smoke. Kael stood at the edge of the city's high walls, his gaze lost in the expanse of the land beyond, where the shadows of the distant mountains seemed to whisper secrets that only the brave or the foolish would dare to listen to.
His mind was heavy with the weight of the council's decisions, with the countless tasks they had set in motion. Forces were already in motion—scouts sent to the northern borders, mages gathering ancient texts, and emissaries dispatched to other kingdoms. Yet, despite the action, Kael knew it would not be enough. Not unless they understood the true nature of their enemy.
"The calm before the storm…" Morgana's voice broke through his thoughts, soft yet full of the same unease that had settled in his heart.