"Evil does not wait for our permission to rise it slips through silence, feeds on fear, and conquers kingdoms while we debate its name."
Thalindra's pov
The sea speaks to those who listen, and tonight, it howled. From the balcony of my coral chamber, I stared out into the dark waters of the Emerald Gulf, their normally docile lull transformed into a tremble of unease. The moon rode high, silvered and sharp, casting broken reflections across the churning surface. Something was wrong. Deeper than politics. Older than war.
The currents are whispering again, I thought, fingertips brushing the stone rail. My body felt heavy, as though the tide itself sought to pull me into the depths. But I stood rooted, back straight, spine echoing the song of waves I had read all my life.
"High Envoy," came the soft voice of my aide, Lysena, her blue-green robes rustling as she entered behind me. "The council meets again at dawn, and Lady Nerisca has requested your presence."
