Rock Wood Village—An Unknown Time Ago.
Rock Wood Village remained much the same as it had always been, its quiet wooden houses standing beneath the pale sky as winter settled over the land.
The season had brought with it the Flowers of Wind, delicate blossoms that drifted through the air and gathered upon rooftops, fences, and the narrow paths winding between the houses.
With the harvest season behind them, the villagers had little work to occupy their days. Most preferred to remain indoors, enjoying the brief period of rest before the next season demanded their attention.
In that regard, they resembled ants that had spent months gathering supplies and could finally retreat into their nests without worrying about the world outside.
However, the peaceful atmosphere of the village had been disrupted that day, at least within one particular courtyard.
Ian was pacing back and forth, his expression growing more anxious with every passing moment.
