The thousand soldiers now patrolling the external walls had adapted to a precise routine.
Every hour, swifts transported messages confirming everything remained in order. No artromus had been sighted for three days, but tension persisted with each guard change.
"Are you sure you want to do this today?" asked Selene, watching while Elio studied one of the monumental trees. "We could wait until Lucien returns from his next inspection."
"It's been three days reorganizing patrols, establishing new training protocols, and discussing expansion plans," Elio responded, his eyes fixed on the small protuberances that had begun appearing on the branches. "I need to see now if Diana was right."
The trees they had planted quite some time ago, the first ones, rose majestic, their leaves whispering with each breeze.
Some citizens' summons that for some reason loved to wander from flower to flower, crowded the tree while watching them with curiosity.
