When the survivors reached the gate, they lined up in their original five formations, which forced everyone present to acknowledge at least a third of them didn’t make it back. Each general stood in front, except for Pharom. They assigned Bellatala the honor of representing them. The leaders of the supply line, scouts, and civilian groups stood in front of their respective members. Caeda appeared on top of the wall to address them as their commander for the last time. Hundreds of elves from the various clans stood in the back to listen while the civilians of Unn Thalor crowded the courtyard, including the current council.

Looking down at the cart and the four surviving elves of the core team, along with Vanima in Fariane's arms and her wolf companion Asena, Caeda felt the cost they had to pay at tha...

Please subscribe to keep reading.