A grey dawn

The rest of the day is quiet, with everyone preparing however they can for what’s coming. As night falls with no sightings from the scouts, everyone relaxes slightly, though there’s still a tension in the air. For once, your night is uneventful, though you’re joined in bed by Cassie. Her pregnancy has yet to mark her beyond a glow of happiness, but she still enjoys a good cuddle in bed. The other girls find privacy together in various groupings, and though it’s muffled, you definitely hear that more than just sleeping is happening.

The night passes without incident, and eventually everyone climbs out of bed. You strap on your armor, trying not to think of the bad things that could happen today. The image of Alex, wounded and bloody, flashes through your mind, and you grip the hilt of Caliburn tighter. You sigh, shaking your head, as you head to breakfast.

Despite your bleak mood, and despite the overcast sky, the others seem in good spirits. Alex is laughing as she playfully throws pieces of a biscuit at the other girls, and as always, her high spirits are infectious. A piece of bread bounces off Nadia’s forehead, and the faerie laughs, throwing it back in retaliation. However, her aim is off, and she hits Melora instead, who is sitting beside the solar elemental with a smile on her face. She simply pops the morsel in her mouth, grinning at Nadia, who is still laughing. Meanwhile, Sarah and Cassie are eating and talking, seemingly oblivious to the bread projectiles flying around.

A chunk flies your way as you approach, and you chuckle as you duck aside. Ferra is faster, though, and snatches the edible missile from the air. There’s a small smile on her face, and she offers it to you as you both sit. Smiling back at her, you take it and nod, adding it to your plate of food. Seeing smiles all around the table eases any worries you had, and you dig into your breakfast, listening to the happy chatter all around you.

Unfortunately, the moment is shattered by the sounding of the alarm. Bells ring out across the camp, and you leap to your feet. Without another word, you hurry away from breakfast, and you’re followed closely by the girls. Even Alex abandons breakfast, albeit reluctantly. You make your way to the palisade, where you find Grant organizing the chaos. He nods to you as you approach.

“Good, you’re here already. The scouts reported in. There’s a **** headed our way, and unfortunately it looks like their numbers are equal to ours. Worse, the leader is…odd. I can’t get a good description of them, beyond that they look…melted? That’s how the scouts described it, anyway.”

You grimace. “I think I know. Cairus.”

Beside you, Ferra nods. “We’ll take care of him this time, master.”

You sigh. “I hope so. I suppose he calls himself the undying for a reason.”

You turn to the girls. “We all know what to do. Let’s get this done.”

Sarah grins and punches you in the shoulder. “Good speech. Very inspiring.”

You chuckle, and the others all smile. You shrug and head out the gate. Looking to the west, you can see the dust from the approaching ****. You take a deep breath as you take your place at the front, hand on your sword.