Chapter 72: The Pledge

The scent of death was in the air, carried by a gentle breeze from Elkshire as they approached the crest of the hill which overlooked the damaged city. Avera felt her body tense, and she noticed that everyone had become uncharacteristically quiet.

'Out of respect for the dead,' she pondered.

Her mind could not fathom the destruction which was surely waiting on the other side of that hill top, and she swallowed, steeling herself for the gruesome sight.

The messengers...