The city of Halewick sprawled beneath me, its streets slick with the remnants of a passing rain, lantern lights flickering in the damp darkness. From my vantage point, high above the quiet chaos, I swirled the wine in my glass, watching as the liquid caught the candlelight in blood-red hues. The drink was unnecessary—just an idle habit, something to fill the time between the inevitable movements of the game.
Beyond the glass pane, figures moved through the misty streets. Kael among them. A pawn in a much larger war, though one with potential. He would play his part, willingly or not. Others would follow. Some would die. The pieces would shift, rearrange, and the board would continue its dance. But it didn't matter.
I would ensure there were no loose ends.
A flicker of motion. A shift in the air.
I didn't turn immediately, merely exhaling softly as I set the glass down with a muted clink. "There you are."
