Kael’s POV

The child was missing, and Mira hadn’t slept in two days. Cyrus said the southern patrols lost contact again. I didn’t ask which ones. Every loss sounded the same now.

The Council walls held names that no longer mattered. Mira read them once more before sealing the log. I stayed behind her, not to guard, but to remember what silence felt like. She said we’d rebuild from what was left. I said nothing.

The scouts returned at dawn with burned parchments. No words survived except ...