The next day, Erend woke to the soft light of morning spilling through his bedroom window.
At first, everything felt normal. It was quiet, even peaceful. But that illusion didn't last long.
A message from Eccar had arrived before sunrise. He told the news in short, to the point manner and heavy with unspoken weight.
He needed to ask him for the details twice.
It didn't matter how vague the message was, Erend knew that tone. Something was wrong. Something big.
By the time he sat down for breakfast, the worry had already rooted itself deep in his chest.
His mother placed a plate of toast and fruit in front of him, along with a steaming cup of tea. She sat across the table, watching him with the gentle sharpness only a mother could master.
"You're unusually quiet this morning," she said after a few minutes. "Did something happen?"
Erend looked up from his untouched plate. He forced a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"It's nothing you need to worry about, Mom."
