pte

hrough the darkness, and for a mo

d, her small voice trembling, her

eached for the dagger at his belt, but he quickly relaxed, trying to maintain a sense of calm for his daughters. "I'll go

ows, moving toward the porch with a purposeful gait. It was Mrs. Ailsa, their neighbor, wrapped in a heavy

y comforting. "I hope I'm not interrupting. I brought the herbs for you, dear," she

ou're a godsend," she said, her voice soft, though t

ease the pains and give you some rest," she said with a reassuring smile. She paused, glancing towar

slightly, her curiosit

he edge of the woods, where the darkness seemed deeper. "Drakmarites. I've heard talk of them moving again. Some say they're gathering in secret, meeting in th

marites, but he kept his voice steady. "I'll keep

e sky. "And you, Cormac," she added, her voice more insistent now. "Be careful going out for the fishing tomorrow. The ti

omething unspoken. Cormac met her gaze and

l leave you to your peace, then," she said, her voice warm again as she began

swirling. The mention of the Drakmarites was a stark reminder that there were force

"Do you think the Drakmarites are truly sti

r shoulder. "We'll find out soon enough," he said quietly, his tone resolut

nce of her husband beside her was a small comfort in the

***

ermen at dawn, was eerily still. The usual bustle of voices and laughter had vanished, replaced by a strange silence. The water-normally full

oday. His wife, Nella, should have been here with him, setting out the nets and preparing to sell the day's catch at the market. But she had stayed home, bedridde

ust as he adjusted the sails, a distant sound reached his ears-a harsh, frantic horn blast, its mournful echo cutting

dled his canoe back to the shore, his heart racing with every stroke. He leapt out o

horns were usually reserved for emergencies, and the incessant blasting sent a chil