POV: Seraphina
Seraphina had spent most of her life studying patterns.
Long before kingdoms rose and fell. Long before bloodlines became legends. Long before history buried truth beneath centuries of myth, she had learned a simple lesson.
Everything repeated.
People called it fate because they lacked the patience to observe long enough.
People called it destiny because they preferred simple answers.
People called it coincidence because accepting the alternative was far more uncomfortable.
Seraphina knew better.
Nothing repeated without reason.
Nothing survived thousands of years without structure.
And nothing endured countless failures unless something ensured its survival.
That was why she stood motionless before the large observation window overlooking the fortress below.
Her attention wasn't focused on the wolves moving through the courtyards.
Nor on the warriors training in the distance.
Nor on the servants carrying supplies between buildings.
