The dead were laid out in rows that stretched further than anyone wanted to count.
Lilith had summoned the entire surviving population, soldiers, healers, the civilians who'd lost homes in the eastern district to stand witness. No hierarchy in the arrangement. Generals beside recruits beside the settlement families who'd buried children three days ago and now stood here again for everyone else's.
Brandon stood near the front, beside Elara. His shoulder was wrapped in essence-treated bandages beneath his shirt, the wound from the general's hammer already knitting. His face was unreadable in a way it hadn't been before he'd left for training. Elara's hand found his and held it. He didn't look at her, but he didn't pull away either.
