Three days passed.
The patrols continued. The drills continued. The waiting continued. Ashen Dawn moved between the Keep and the city's edge, watching for signs of the coalition, finding nothing but cold streets and silence. The Veil held. For now.
Alistair called them in on the fourth night.
The briefing room was empty except for the team and a new map spread across the table. This one showed the northern territories—forests, mountains, old battle sites. A red circle marked a location near the border.
Cora frowned at the map. "What's up north?"
"Trouble." Alistair pointed to the circle. "Intelligence reports another demon prince moving through the region. Name's Malachar. He's been quiet for years, but now he's mobilizing."
Mason leaned forward. "Valentine's ally?"
