*Starblood fortress*

Crystal sat by the stone railing outside the eastern tower, staring out at the mist that curled across the hills.

Below, the fortress stirred with motion, warriors shifting gear, sharpening blades, fletching arrows, and preparing horses for long travel. The wind was sharp with the coming storm, cutting through even the thick silence of dawn.

The Weeping Valley called but her heart was elsewhere.

Beyond the far ridge, dark clouds loomed like a ...