By the time the second mark appeared, the snow had just begun to melt from the walls of the fortress.
It was discovered by Nicholas, who is now eleven years old and as perceptive as his father. He had been running after his sister Amelia through the gardens close to the eastern watchtower of Barduff when he abruptly stopped. When he summoned the guards, there was an odd note in his voice.
The same twisted spiral—the symbol of the Hollow Alpha—was etched into the smooth stone wall beneath the ivy-covered archway, but this time it was done with unnatural accuracy to the stone itself. The words appeared beneath it in what appeared to be dried blood:
"Your alliance cannot shield fate."
An hour later, Jacob stood before the symbol with Leah, whose face had turned pale, and his warriors at his sides. Nicholas stood behind his father, silent for once, while Amelia held on to her mother's hand.
According to the Captain of the Guard, "this wasn't here yesterday," Additionally, none of the sentries heard or saw anything. It seems to have just materialized.
Leah took a slow step forward, her gaze fixed on the spiral. She muttered, "It's the same mark Serafina sent."
Grimly, Jacob nodded. "They are becoming more daring. Silverwind first. Now, us.
Just then, a courier carrying a letter dashed into the courtyard. "To the Luna, from Silverwind."
Leah broke the seal and took the parchment. Her gaze swept over Serafina's graceful penmanship.
Mom,
You once told me that knowing when to draw a sword is more powerful than actually wielding one. That makes sense to me now.
They're watching us. The signs are visible to me. Roman has, too. He bears scars from a past that is becoming more and more significant every day. Messages are coming in from the Hollow Alpha, or whoever is using his name. I think that under the guise of ancient myths, war is being courted right in front of us.
Tell Father, please, to get minds as well as soldiers ready.
Additionally, Mama, tell my brothers and sister that I still love them if anything happens to me.
—Sera
Leah's eyes were watering as she folded the letter with trembling hands. She muttered, "She's in danger."
After grabbing the letter and quickly reading it, Jacob remarked, "She's also ready." He tightened his jaw. "The return of the Hollow Alpha... I believed it to be an old Reaches story.
Leah answered, "He's real." "And he's not by himself."
At that moment, a raven with faintly gold eyes landed on the wall above the spiral.
After gazing at it, Jacob faced his warriors. Inform Whitedawn and Tailwind. The alliance remains intact, but we might be dealing with something that none of us fully comprehends.
Leah glanced at the stone mark once more before turning to face the raven, which cawed in a low, resonant voice.
She whispered, "They're not just pushing boundaries." "They are trying to test our fear."