[ A year and a half had passed since Autumn gave birth to her son.
Beyond the reach of maps, in the uncharted wilderness of the Old World, a fortress had risen where no kingdom ever was. It was not built of stone, nor of timber, but of earth, tangled vines, and lightning that had scorched the heavens.
No scout who ventured near returned with answers…only fragments of whispers carried back by fear. Some swore they had glimpsed an army lining the ramparts.Others claimed to hear a low, unearthly chant at night, so deep it rattled the bones of the trees until they bent as though kneeling. ]
Inside that mysterious fortress -
A shrill sound of laughter echoed off the high walls of the enclosed arena.
A little boy squealed as he hurled himself at Orion with all the ferocity of a miniature beast.
"Raaahhh!" the child shrieked, fists pounding against Orion's broad, hairy chest.
