The heir was gone.
Not slowly.
Not in anger.
Just… gone.
The square stayed silent long after he disappeared down the eastern road.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
Lira felt the weight hit her all at once.
Her knees weakened.
Kael caught her before she fell.
Breathe, his intent flowed, steady and grounding.
She pressed her forehead against his chest, shaking.
"I didn't know words could feel like weapons," she whispered.
Kael felt it too.
Words decide futures.
The scarred woman stepped forward at last.
Her voice carried, calm but firm.
"You heard him," she said to the city.
"And you saw them stand."
People nodded.
Slowly.
One by one.
No cheers.
Just agreement.
The council members gathered near the platform.
"This is no longer quiet," one said.
"The heir will move."
The Seer stepped forward.
"He already has," he said.
"Just not with armies."
Lira lifted her head.
"What does that mean?"
The Seer answered plainly.
"He will fracture supply lines.
Turn neutral cities away.
Pressure Grayhaven until it cracks."
Kael felt anger rise—controlled, cold.
He'll starve them.
The Seer nodded.
"Yes."
The scarred woman exhaled slowly.
"Then we prepare," she said.
"For siege without walls."
The crowd began to disperse, not in panic, but purpose.
People returned to work.
To planning.
To quiet resolve.
Grayhaven didn't fall apart.
It tightened.
Lira watched them go, heart heavy.
"This is because of us," she said softly.
Kael didn't deny it.
But his intent was clear
And it's also because of choice.
The Seer placed a hand on Kael's shoulder.
"You should know this," he said.
"The heir doesn't hate you."
Lira frowned.
"That's worse."
"Yes," the Seer agreed.
"He sees you as necessary opposition."
Kael looked back toward the road the heir had taken.
Then we stop being reactive.
Lira felt it and understood.
"We prepare before he strikes again," she said.
The Seer nodded.
"You'll need allies beyond Grayhaven," he said.
"Bonds like yours.
People the Empire already fears."
Lira's heart beat faster.
"You mean others like us."
"Yes," the Seer replied.
"And they won't come unless you go to them."
The city bells rang again.
Not alarm.
Gathering.
The scarred woman looked back at Kael and Lira.
"Grayhaven stands with you," she said.
"But standing still is not enough."
Kael took Lira's hand.
She felt his resolve settle—deep and certain.
Then we move next.
She squeezed back.
"Together."
Above the city, clouds gathered again.
Not a storm yet.
But the air had changed.
The heir had spoken.
They had answered.
Now
The world would respond.