In the waning light, I turned my gaze to the horizon, where dark clouds gathered like specters waiting in the wings. The alliance was solidified, for now, but in the stillness of the coming night, I knew that the seeds of future conflict had been sown amidst the blood-stained soil of compromise. And like the most tenacious of weeds, they would sprout, threatening to choke the life from our fragile unity unless we remained ever vigilant.

The sun dipped below the horizon, surrendering the day to ...