Fracture

The Battle of Jotner Valley was over. Won. But at what cost?

Three days later and all is calm, the bodies all buried, the remains of Slakter's army in disarray and on the run. Life goes on, and there is work to be done before life as we knew it would return... if that was even possible. But I learned long ago, after a battle you could count the dead, or you could count the living. Hollis was among the living. So was Emma, though she was still healing, and there would always be a scar... a reminder of what almost... well, enough of that.

Mother Moon was also among the living, though Professor Irons was not. At least, that is what I thought... what we all thought... until I saw her, when no once else could. And then the questions poured forth.

What exactly was the Stone of Remembrance, and how powerful was it?

Where was Huginn, and how were he and Mother Moon connected?

And that cryptic message the vision of Professor Irons imparted to me... could I trust it?

"It's not safe," she had whispered. "I don't know what happened. But, they are coming for me. They are coming for all of us."

Yes, we had won the Battle of Jotner Valley, but the war had only just begun.