As a result, Caesar was almost always in the field, leading his Shield Warriors and a contingent of Plague-thralls on sweeping patrols through the northern regions of the Forest of Nature, clearing out demonic monsters and rescuing scattered Wood Elf survivors. With Caesar away, the responsibility of managing the camp fell solely to Aerin.
Today, just as she had finished leading a prayer to strengthen the trees near the camp's walls, a commotion erupted at the main gate. As the one in charge, she immediately rushed to the scene.
Pushing her way through the gathered crowd, Aerin saw her. It was Freyla, and she was dying.
One of her arms was gone, and a massive wound had torn open her abdomen. She was clinging to a final, ragged breath, her vacant eyes staring up at the sky. Aerin knelt beside her. Her face came into Freyla's view, and the dying elf's eyes, which had been so empty, suddenly regained a spark of light.
