The morning sun broke over the high granite spires of the Shadowfall Domain, casting long, golden shafts of light across the vast expanse of the grand courtyard. A crisp, autumn breeze swept down from the northern peaks, rustling the ceremonial banners of the Neutral Alliance that hung proudly from the stone battlements.
There were one hundred and forty-nine chapters remaining in the chronicle of our restoration—one hundred and forty-nine milestones of peace to build upon the foundation we had cemented last night. But today was not for grand architectural designs or legislative debate. Today belonged to the quiet, immutable reality of a morning after the storm.
I stood by the tall quartz window of my private study, a cup of dark, unsweetened tea resting between my palms. Below, in the co
