The council chamber felt smaller than usual.
Zekar sat at the head of the table, listening to the arguments wash over him, feeling the weight of every word. Outside, the city hummed with nervous energy—word of the approaching legions had spread, and even the children seemed to move quieter, waiting for something none of them could name.
"Three full legions," Torvin was saying, his voice sharp with urgency. "Plus Caelorth support. If they reach the valley, we'll be fighting on two fronts—ground and air." He leaned forward, scarred face intense. "One shift. One shift could end this before it starts. A dragon over their camp at night, and half of them would desert before sunrise."
