I stood at the tallest of the stony castle waiting for another warrior to tell me some news about my father and the war. I knew something wrong happend I could feel it in my stomach. My Zolnixi, Cadence could feel it too for she kept looking up at me with worry in her shiny pink eyes.

A shadowy figure approaches the castle. As it nears, I see the glimmer of a badge- the same glint mine makes. I rush down to meet them. Cadence follows.
"What news?" I call before he gets across the drawbridge. From the figure's slumped shoulders and slow, unenthusiastic gait, I know things are much as I'd expected. It seems like an eternity before he reaches the end of the bridge, where I meet him and relieve him of some of his burdens.
"What news?" I repeat, trying to restrain myself from getting furious at his reluctance. His eyes avoid mine.
"It's not good," he says softly, like he barely got it out.
"Tell me." He takes a breath.
"The enemy is too strong. Our forces were wiped out. Your father...he died in battle."