***Cadiz***
Raizel stood beside me, his hand resting on the pommel of his sword, around us, the Ashforde guards were ready, weapons drawn, eyes fixed on the horizon.
We didn't have to wait long.
As the sun crested the mountains, I saw them. A dark line on the horizon, growing larger and more distinct with each passing minute, thousands of soldiers marching in formation, their armor catching the morning light.
The imperial army had arrived.
"Here they come," Raizel said quietly, and his hand found mine and squeezed once before letting go.
This was it. Everything we'd been preparing for, everything we'd been dreading, the moment when all our plans and training would be put to the test.
I took a deep breath and let my power wake up inside me, feeling it respond eagerly after days of constant practice. It was ready, I was ready.
