As dawn's first light touched the horizon, the camp awoke with a slow, somber stirring. The events of the previous night, the unsettling sounds, the sense of being watched, left the group with an undercurrent of unease. They moved in quiet focus, each aware of the ominous journey still ahead.
James watched as his companions prepared. Sasha, Emilia, Yori, Pippy, Lynara, and the other dragonkin warriors moved with practiced precision. The soldiers and mages under his command worked methodically, checking their weapons, securing provisions, and preparing for another day in this cursed land. James felt the weight of the responsibility he bore, not just for the mission but for each life entrusted to his leadership.
