North In Trouble

"..Over ten thousand Dawnstar people are either missing or dead.." Grace continued describing the accounts of the surviving lords and soldiers, but by then, Damian had already tuned her out.

He set down his leather work apron on one of the outer benches and walked away without a word. Evrin and the others just watched as he kept walking, heading across the campus until he reached the far side.

The others didn't know where he was going, but Damian wasn't wandering aimlessly in the night. Lucian was there—at the far end of the garden where he had once built the benches. The view of the ocean was stunning from this secluded spot.

She sat alone on a bench, her face a mask of frustration and carefully hidden sorrow. Damian joined her in silence. She didn't look at him, nor did she attempt to conceal her emotions. Together, they stared at the dark, seemingly endless water.

After a moment, Lucian spoke.