The dawn of a new day brought with it a cautious hope, but Emily knew better than to take it at face value. As the first light filtered through the trees surrounding Lornwood, the villagers began to gather in the square, faces still etched with the tension of the previous night. The air was thick with the weight of unanswered questions, and though the immediate threat had subsided, an undercurrent of uncertainty lingered.
### The Morning After
Emily stood at the edge of the square, watching as Aiden, Thalia, and Seraphina organized the townspeople into groups. The plan was simple but essential: an inventory of their remaining supplies, ensuring their defenses were still intact, and preparing for the fragile negotiations that would soon begin. The intruders had agreed to meet at dawn, and Emily was determined to make sure Lornwood was ready.
