The eastern territories were gone.
Torak still couldn't quite process it.
One week had passed since Aire's warning, and she had been right.
The memory remained painfully vivid.
Torak stood before the large window in King Elijah's study. The evening sun spilled across polished floors and the shelves crowded with books.
Behind him, King Elijah sat at his desk reviewing reports from every corner of the kingdom. There was simply too much to think about.
"The final evacuation was completed this morning."
King Elijah looked up, and Torak continued. "The eastern villages are empty."
A short silence followed.
"No casualties?"
"Not from the explosion." Torak replied.
King Elijah nodded slowly.
Relief flickered briefly across his face. Thousands should have died. Instead, they had escaped.
His gaze drifted toward the far mountains visible beyond the window.l with wolves lenses.
His thoughts returned unwillingly to that day when they had all stood upon the cliffs, and watched.
