{ "Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success."}
We were all seated in the Royal Garden, the dawn casting gold over the marble paths and ivy-wrapped columns. Freyr and I sat at the head of the long obsidian table carved with ancient Bay Shifter runes, our hands close, but not touching, though I could feel his steady presence like a tether grounding me through it all.
Around us sat those we trusted most: Spark beside Wave, General Mortas, Enforcer Troy, General Tiger, Ralph, Qadira, Aurora, Nessa, Rolan, Elle, and Rou. All eyes were on Spark as he sat forward and began to speak, and Elder Mercury and Elder Crystal watched over us, joined by Aurora, Nessa, and Commander Belisont.
His voice was calm, but the tension that laced it raised the hairs on my neck.
