The war began in whispers, smoke, and shadows rather than with the thunderclap of combat. The disappearance of livestock, a burned outpost along the eastern trade route, and a missing supply caravan near Frostwell Ridge were initially written off as coincidences. However, Serafina was the first to notice the pattern. She and Roman had spent enough time studying the Hollow Alpha's strategies to be aware of the strategy.
She slammed a map onto the Silverwind war room table and declared, "It's disruption." They are keeping us apart. eroding the great houses' and minor packs' mutual trust. This is coordinated, not random.
Roman stood next to her, his jaw clenched. It's also intelligent. Not a banner. Not a single declaration. Just be afraid.
Whitedawn and Tailwind scouts had reported similar incidents. Under the pretense of rogue threats, settlements were being evacuated. False letters distributing false information were sent to local leaders, allegedly from Serafina or Leah. The Hollow Alpha's greatest weapon was now panic.
Tailwind Alpha Samuel had communicated: "These aren't merely rogues or deserters. They are followers. Darkness has infected them. devoted only to the Hollow.
Due to the lack of council support and the ongoing investigation into Whitedawn's embassy after the Blood Sigil incident, Roman and Serafina decided to take matters into their own hands.
Under Susanna's leadership, they established the "Vigil Guard," a combined patrol force of elite fighters from Silverwind, Tailwind, and a few recently enlisted nobles. They have to find and destroy tainted cells before the mayhem gets out of control.
Serafina and Roman rode with the first unit in the early morning, their wolves, Varric and Nyra, moving between the trees like ghosts. Silence hung in the air, but their instincts were sharp.
Blackfen Hollow was where they discovered their first sign.
A granary in ruin. Twisted Moon Mother runes, symbols burned into the ground. Three survivors huddled inside, some dark enchantment causing their minds to become disoriented. They spoke in hushed tones of a "Hollow Choir," voices in the night telling them to submit and obey.
Later that evening, Serafina observed Roman silently patrolling the perimeter while the Vigil Guard set up camp. The weight of a man who had once walked with those now concealed in the dark and who knew what was coming was borne on his shoulders.
At the fire, he went back to her side. "This is only the first step."
Serafina's gaze remained fixed on the fire. "Then we shine more brightly."
In order to represent the light against the approaching darkness, Leah lit a ceremonial lantern in the center of Silverwind, its flame infused with Moon Mother magic.
A war without armies had been started by the Hollow Alpha. The Flame Pact, however, was prepared.
And already, the first sparks had ignited.