The night was deep and still as Elara lay awake, her thoughts restless despite the day's hard-won victory. The stars above, once a source of comfort, now felt like distant observers, silently witnessing the struggles unfolding below. She knew the coming days would be crucial, and the weight of that knowledge kept her from finding peace.
Unable to sleep, she rose from her bed and quietly left her quarters, the cool night air brushing against her skin as she stepped out onto the stronghold's ramparts. The fortress was quiet, save for the distant sounds of the night watch making their rounds. Elara found solace in the solitude, her mind wandering back through the memories of the day.
She couldn't shake the feeling that something lingered in the air, a presence or an echo of something unresolved. The battle had ended, and the stronghold was safe—for now—but there was an undercurrent of unease that tugged at her thoughts.
