The morning sun cracked over the horizon like golden ink spilling across the sky. The quiet chill of the night still clung to the stones, but the air was shifting—brisk, purposeful. Birds chirped from rooftops and the occasional clang of metal on metal echoed through the stronghold, breaking the stillness with life.
Aiden stood in the central courtyard just outside the mayor's mansion, sleeves rolled to his forearms, a checklist in one hand and a comm device strapped to the other. His breath fogged lightly as he glanced up at the sky, scanning the clouds as though measuring the weight of the day ahead.
Behind him, the stronghold buzzed to life.
Soldiers moved like clockwork, loading supply crates, checking weapons, double-knotting gear. It was the first phase of their reconnaissance mission—officially underway.
Tommy, still clutching a half-eaten apple, ambled up beside him, squinting into the morning sun.
