Dawn came slowly to the farmhouse, and pale light filtered through broken shutters. Gabriel hadn't slept. He'd sat against the wall all night, watching the others take their watches and waiting for what he knew was coming.
When Tess called everyone together at first light, he was ready.
They gathered in the common room. Gilbert stoked the fire back to life while Mera sat with her pack close, the book still hidden inside. Adan leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed, and Ennu took position by the window.
All eyes turned to Gabriel.
"Talk," Tess said. No preamble. "Everything. From the beginning."
Gabriel stared at the far wall for a long moment, then he began.
"I was fifteen, a student at the Paladin academy." His voice was flat and empty. "A cult took me from the streets of the capital. Hundreds of soldiers from different races, all following an elf they called the Commander."
"What did they want?" Adan asked.
