Ashhaven no longer slept in silence.

The air itself sang.

Not loudly never so. The hum threaded through wind and water, through the cracks of stone and the rhythm of every heartbeat. It was a lullaby the world had taught itself after forgetting what peace sounded like.

At first, it was beautiful. Wolves raised their heads when dawn came and harmonized without knowing why. The rivers shifted course to follow the melody. Even the Dreaming Sea, far to the east, shimmered like a throat vibrating ...