The morning sky wept gray upon Oakspire, a fitting shroud for the day's somber purpose. Val stood rigid in formation with the remnants of Ranger Company Two, their ranks noticeably thinned. Around him in his section stretched the disciplined lines of Companies Three and Five. Everyone active military unit in the city was on display. Thousands of people were packed in the central square of the lower city around the ceremonial pyres. Though they contained no bodies, the imagery helped the grieving.

  The Grand Cultivator of the Leafs of the Golden Tree, Isolde, stepped forward, her ceremonial robes of deep green embroidered with golden leaves catching what little light filtered through the clouds. Isolde Vernalis was a slight woman whose advanced age had bent her frame but not her spirit. Her voice, when it rose above the gentle patter of rain, carried unexpected strength.

  "We gather today to honor those who have fallen defending our valley, our way of life, our very future," she began, her weathered hands raised toward the gray sky. "Each soul here represented a thread in the great tapestry of Yelden. Though their physical forms return to the earth, their essence flows back to the Oakspire, to be renewed and reborn in seasons to come."

  "The Oakspire teaches us that death is not an ending," Isolde continued, her voice swelling with conviction. "It is transformation, a return to the source from which all life springs. These brave souls have not left us, they have simply changed form, becoming part of the greater whole that sustains and protects us all."

  As she spoke, acolytes moved among the people, laying sprigs of greenery and small pouches of seeds upon each person. Traditional offerings to ensure the deceased would flourish in their next incarnation, according to the teachings of the Leafs. Val had never given much thought to religious matters, but he found himself hoping there was truth in her words, that Jorin and the others had found some peace in whatever lay beyond.

  As Isolde completed her recitation, she removed a small pouch from her robes. "From the heart of the Oakspire itself, these seeds represent our hope for renewal, for life continuing beyond loss." She cast the contents into the air, and a swirl of golden motes caught the breeze, dancing above the pyres before settling upon the shrouded forms. "May they guide your spirits home to the great tree, where you will find the peace you have earned through your sacrifice."

  The Grand Cultivator stepped back, yielding her position to High Elder Maelis Thornwood. The leader of Oakspire's council cut a severe figure in her formal attire of deep blue and silver, her silver hair pulled back in a tight braid that emphasized her hawkish features. Where Isolde spoke of spiritual matters, Maelis's domain was the more immediate concerns of the living.

  "The dead have done their part," she began, her voice carrying the weight of command rather than comfort. "Now we must do ours. Yelden Valley faces the greatest threat since the fall of the Atilean Empire. What we witnessed at Willow Creek and Stonebridge is merely the beginning."

  Val found his attention drifting as Maelis spoke of defense strategies, supply rationing, and militia training. The words blurred together, replaced by fragments of the vision that had come to him the previous night. Armored soldiers marching across an ancient battlefield. A bearded man with a living staff drawing power from the earth itself. Wooden armor sprouting from the ground to protect defenders.

  It had felt more real than any dream, more vivid than memory. The power he had witnessed, the absolute mastery of life aether wielded by the First Seed. And there had been something familiar in it, an echo of what he had experienced during the battle at Willow Creek, when power had surged through him unbidden.

  "Val," a soft voice murmured beside him, pulling him back to the present. Elara stood at rigid attention, her gaze fixed forward, but he could feel her awareness of his distraction. "You're drifting."

  He straightened, forcing himself to focus on Maelis's words.

  "...effective immediately, Oakspire enters a state of war preparation," she was saying, her tone brooking no argument. "Rationing will begin tomorrow for all non-essential goods. Civilian travel beyond city walls is restricted without military escort. All able-bodied citizens between sixteen and sixty will participate in defense training according to schedules to be posted in each district."

  A murmur rippled through the crowd, quickly silenced by Maelis's sharp gaze.

  "I do not take these measures lightly," she continued. "But neither will I stand idle while settlements under our protection fall one by one. We will fortify every village and town that can be reasonably defended. We will establish supply lines and rapid response protocols. We will meet this threat with the full force of Oakspire's resources and resolve."

  The rain began to fall more heavily, drumming against the wooden platforms. Val felt a strange disconnection, as if he were simultaneously present at the funeral and still trapped in his vision, watching ancient defenders rise against impossible odds.

  "I'm sorry," Elara whispered, still looking straight ahead.

  Val blinked, uncertain he'd heard correctly. "For what?"

  "Being distant," she murmured, her voice barely audible above the rain. "Since we returned. I needed to—" She faltered. "The healing work helps. Takes my mind off things."

  Understanding dawned. She'd mistaken his distraction for grief, perhaps even thought he was upset with her for their lack of interaction since returning to Oakspire. In truth, he'd barely noticed, so consumed had he been with Linden's revelations and the strange dreams that followed.

  Without thinking, Val reached for her hand where it hung at her side. Her fingers were cool from the rain but warmed quickly as they interlaced with his. She didn't pull away, and they stood connected in that small, secret way as Maelis concluded her address.

  "Our ancestors faced the collapse of an empire and survived," the High Elder said, her voice rising above the strengthening rain. "They built Oakspire from nothing but hope and determination. We are their descendants, and we will not falter now. Honor the dead by how you live; with courage, with purpose, with the knowledge that what we defend is worth any sacrifice."

  Isolde began to sing, her voice clear despite her years. It was an ancient hymn, one Val recognized from childhood, though he couldn't recall the last time he'd heard it performed. The melody spoke of cycles, of endings that became beginnings, of return and renewal. Other voices joined hers, first the acolytes, then the assembled rangers, then the crowd at large, until the song swelled to encompass the entire square.

  Val didn't sing. He stood silent, his hand still clasped with Elara's, watching as fire consumed the physical remains of those who had fought beside him. The smoke rose in thirty-seven columns that merged into a single cloud, drifting toward the massive silhouette of the Oakspire in the distance. Whether by chance or some unseen force, the rain began to ease as the fire reached its height, as if nature itself respected the ceremony's purpose.

  Time stretched as the flames did their work, reducing bodies to ash and memories. Val found himself wondering what Jorin would think of all this ceremony. The captain had been a practical man, more concerned with results than ritual. He would probably have preferred a quiet cremation and a night of drinking where stories could be shared among those who had known him best.

  Eventually, the pyres burned down to embers, leaving only ash where the wood had lain. Isolde approached each in turn, collecting a small portion of ash in tiny wooden containers carved with the symbol of the Oakspire. These would be planted beneath new saplings in the Memorial Grove, ensuring that something of the fallen would literally take root in the valley's soil.

  As the ceremony concluded, the crowd began to disperse. Civilian mourners drifted back toward the city proper, while military units remained at attention, awaiting formal dismissal. Elara's hand slipped from Val's as they resumed their proper stance, but the brief connection had grounded him, pulled him back from the edge of the strange dissociation he'd been experiencing.

  High Captain Unta stepped forward, his imposing figure commanding immediate attention despite his limp being more pronounced than usual. "Rangers, attention," he called, his voice carrying across the clearing. "Report to headquarters in one hour for briefing. Dismissed."

  The formation broke, rangers moving in small groups toward the city. Val found himself walking alongside Elara, Aric, and Kaelen, none of them speaking at first. The weight of the ceremony hung heavy in the air between them.

  "Captain would have hated all that speech-making," Kaelen finally said, breaking the silence. A small, sad smile crossed his weathered face. "Man could never sit still for more than five minutes of talk."

  Elara nodded, her face solemn. "Remember when Elder Thorne visited our camp last spring? Jorin kept finding excuses to check the perimeter every time the man started another story."

  "He claimed he heard suspicious noises," Elara added, her voice warming with the memory. "But we all knew he just couldn't stand another minute of that droning voice."

  Val listened as they traded stories, each memory creating a more complete picture of the man they had lost. Strange how death changed perspective, details that had seemed inconsequential in life suddenly became precious, defining traits to be preserved in memory.

  They reached the edge of the city proper, where the funeral grounds gave way to the outer ring of buildings. The streets were unusually quiet, citizens either still at the ceremony or sequestered indoors against the rain. Val was grateful for the relative solitude; it gave their small group space to process their grief without the intrusion of curious onlookers.

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  "What do you think Unta wants?" Aric asked as they turned onto the broader avenue that would lead them to ranger headquarters.

  "Companies Two and Five both took heavy losses," Kaelen answered, his face grim. "Not enough left of either to function separately, I'd wager."

  "Merging, you think?" Elara glanced at Val, who had remained silent during their exchange.

  Kaelen nodded. "Most likely. Wouldn't be the first time after a bad campaign."

  "Who would lead, though?" Aric's brow furrowed. "With Jorin gone, and..." He trailed off, perhaps realizing the insensitivity of discussing command transitions so soon after the funeral.

  "Alfen," Kaelen said simply. "He's senior captain now that Jorin's gone, and he's got the experience for it."

  Val finally spoke, his voice rough from disuse. "He's a good leader. Solid tactician, doesn't take unnecessary risks." He hesitated, then added, "Jorin respected him."

  The others nodded, accepting this assessment. They continued toward headquarters, their pace unhurried despite Unta's one-hour timeline. None of them seemed eager to rush into whatever changes awaited them.

  They arrived to find other rangers already gathering in the main hall, a spacious chamber typically used for general briefings and ceremonial occasions. Companies Three and Four stood in loose formation, having arrived directly from the funeral grounds. The remains of Companies Two and Five clustered near the entrance, instinctively grouping with familiar faces.

  Val noticed several unfamiliar figures standing at the rear of the hall. Men and women in the distinctive robes of the Mage Academy, their expressions varying from solemn to openly curious. He counted eight in total, representatives from different aether disciplines judging by the varied colors of their attire.

  Precisely one hour after dismissal, High Captain Unta entered, accompanied by Captains Alfen, Elowen of Company Three, and Malik of Company Four. The assembled rangers snapped to attention, the shuffle of boots echoing in the high-ceilinged space.

  Unta moved to the raised platform at the front of the hall, his limp more pronounced after the long ceremony in the rain. He surveyed the assembled rangers with a critical eye, his weathered face revealing nothing of his thoughts.

  "At ease," he said finally, and the rangers shifted to a more relaxed stance. "Today we honored our fallen. Now, we ensure their sacrifice was not in vain."

  He gestured to a large map of Yelden Valley that had been mounted on the wall behind him, freshly marked with symbols indicating settlements, known undead activity, and defensive positions.

  "The situation is grave but not hopeless," Unta continued, his tone matter-of-fact. "We face an enemy displaying unprecedented coordination and strategic thinking. Reports from the southern valley confirm similar patterns of attack to what we witnessed at Willow Creek and Stonebridge. This is no random surge, make no mistake, we are at war."

  Murmurs rippled through the ranks, quickly silenced by Unta's sharp glance.

  "In light of these developments and our recent losses, effective immediately, I am implementing structural changes to our ranger companies." Unta's gaze swept over the remnants of Companies Two and Five.

  "Companies Two and Five will merge, effective immediately," Unta announced to the wider assembly. "Captain Alfen will remain as captain. The new company will maintain five four-person squads, operating at increased strength compared to standard configuration."

  Val processed this information quickly. Twenty rangers instead of the usual ten, organized differently than the traditional structure. It suggested Unta anticipated heavy action and wanted more experienced leadership at the squad level.

  "Squad assignments will be posted following this briefing. Those of you from Companies Two and Five not assigned to the restructured unit will be temporarily reassigned to Companies Three and Four until we can recruit and train replacements." Unta gestured to the mages standing at the rear of the hall. "Additionally, each ranger company will now be accompanied by a master-level mage during all field operations."

  This announcement caused more obvious surprise among the rangers. Traditionally, the ranger corps operated independently from the Mage Academy, with only occasional collaboration on specific missions. Permanent attachment of mages represented a significant shift in protocol.

  "These mages have volunteered for field service and have undergone accelerated tactical training," Unta continued. "They will provide direct combat support, communication capabilities, and specialized knowledge regarding undead threats. You will treat them as full members of your companies, with all the respect and protection that entails."

  Val's gaze drifted to the assembled mages, wondering which would be assigned to their company. His eyes caught on a slender man with unruly brown hair who seemed to be studying him with particular interest. Something about his stance suggested he wasn't entirely comfortable in the formal setting of the ranger headquarters.

  "Each ranger company will be paired with an army company for joint operations," Unta was saying, drawing Val's attention back to the briefing. "Company Two will work with Army Company Five, Company Three with Army Company Seven, and Company Four with Army Company Nine. These pairings will deploy to secure and defend designated settlements throughout the valley, according to the strategic priorities established by the council."

  He pointed to specific locations on the map, indicating the assignments for each company. "Company Two and Army Company Five will secure Clearwater. Company Three and Army Company Seven will reinforce Emberfell. Company Four and Army Company Nine will establish a forward operating base near Sunhaven to monitor activity along the northern approach."

  Val studied the map, noting the strategic positioning of these assignments. The three locations formed a rough triangle in the northern valley, creating a defensive perimeter around Oakspire itself. Similar deployments were marked in the southern territories, though with heavier concentration due to the larger population centers there.

  "Your primary objectives are threefold," Unta continued, his voice hardening. "First, secure your assigned settlements and prepare them for potential siege. Second, gather intelligence regarding undead movements and any evidence of centralized control. Third, maintain open communication lines with Oakspire and neighboring outposts."

  He paused, his gaze sweeping the assembled rangers. "These are not routine patrols. You will be operating in hostile territory against an enemy that has already demonstrated the ability to overwhelm established defenses. Exercise extreme caution, maintain discipline, and remember your training."

  Unta stepped back, yielding the platform to Captain Alfen. The rangy, black-haired man moved forward with the quiet confidence that had earned him respect throughout the ranger corps. His jagged scar seemed more pronounced in the hall's harsh lighting, pulling his left eye into its perpetual squint.

  "Newly formed Company Two will assemble in the west barracks following this briefing," Alfen announced, his voice carrying easily without seeming forced. "Squad assignments will be posted, and we'll conduct initial planning for the Clearwater deployment. We move out at first light tomorrow, so settle any personal business in Oakspire today."

  He stepped back, and Unta moved forward once more. "The captains will remain for additional briefing. The rest of you are dismissed to your assigned locations. Remember, rangers. You are Oakspire's eyes and ears beyond these walls. Stay vigilant, stay alive, and do your duty."

  The rangers saluted in unison before breaking formation, the hall filling with the sound of movement and subdued conversation as they filtered toward their various destinations. Val and Kaelen exchanged nods before heading toward the west barracks, where the newly formed Company Two would gather.

  As he moved through the crowd, Val felt a presence at his shoulder and turned to find Elara falling into step beside him.

  Before Val could speak, Aric joined them, his young face alight with barely contained excitement. "Did you see the squad assignments? We're still together; you, me, and Elara, plus Lian."

  Val raised an eyebrow. "Where did you see the assignments? Alfen said they'd be posted at the barracks."

  "Rhea had an advance copy," Aric explained sheepishly.

  They reached the west barracks, a long, low building divided into communal sleeping quarters, storage areas, and a central common room used for briefings and meals. Already, rangers from the former Companies Two and Five were gathering, some checking the assignment roster posted near the entrance, others collecting equipment from the storage rooms.

  Val scanned the roster, confirming what Aric had told him. His squad remained as it was, with the addition of Lian, a quiet, observant young man with an uncanny talent for tracking. Kaelen's squad would consist of Rhea, Rhone, and a new ranger named Daven. The remaining three squads were composed of a mix of veterans and newer rangers, balanced to ensure each group had experienced leadership.

  As rangers continued to file in, Val noticed the mage assigned to Company Two entering the barracks. It was the same slender man who had been watching him during Unta's briefing, his robes marking him as a life aether practitioner.

  The man approached directly, offering a hand in greeting. "Valtha Hearne? I'm Master Rhalla Istur, Grandmaster Linden sent me." He smiled, revealing slightly crooked teeth that somehow added charm rather than detracting from it.

  Val accepted the handshake, noting the green lines visible on Rhalla's hands. "Master Rhalla. I didn't expect to see you here."

  "Last-minute assignment," Rhalla replied, keeping his voice low enough that nearby rangers couldn't easily overhear. "Linden thought you might appreciate a friendly face among the mage contingent, especially one already... familiar with your situation."

  The implication was clear. Rhalla knew about Val's unusual aether abilities, or at least suspected. The knowledge made Val tense, but he kept his expression neutral.

  "We'll have plenty of time to talk during the deployment," Rhalla continued, seemingly oblivious to Val's discomfort. "For now, I just wanted to introduce myself and let you know that Linden sends his regards."

  As Rhalla moved away, Elara appeared at Val's side, curiosity evident in her expression. "What was that about?"

  Val hesitated, uncertain how much to share. "Academy business," he said finally. "Linden wanted one of his people to check on me, make sure there's no lasting damage from... everything that happened."

  It wasn't entirely a lie, but the omission still felt wrong, especially with Elara. They had shared too much for such obvious evasions. Before he could consider how to better explain, however, Captain Alfen entered the barracks, his presence immediately commanding attention.

  "Rangers," Alfen called, his voice cutting through the ambient noise of the room. "Gear check in thirty minutes, deployment briefing to follow. We move out at dawn tomorrow for Clearwater, paired with Army Company Five. I expect every ranger ready and equipped for extended field operations."

  The announcement spurred immediate activity, rangers moving toward supply rooms and personal lockers to prepare their equipment. Val turned to his squad, slipping easily into the leadership role despite his misgivings about the promotion.

  "Elara, check our medical supplies, make sure we're stocked for field treatment of multiple casualties. Aric, inventory arrows and maintenance kits. Lian, coordinate with the quartermaster for rations. I'll handle tactical planning with Alfen." He hesitated, then added, "Meet back here in twenty minutes for squad-level briefing."

  As his team dispersed to their tasks, Val found himself staring at Master Rhalla, who now stood in conversation with Captain Alfen. The life aether master caught his gaze and offered a small, knowing nod before returning his attention to Alfen.

  Val suppressed a sigh. Whatever Linden had told Rhalla, having the mage along would complicate an already complex situation. Between the merged company structure, and the looming threat of undead attacks, the last thing Val needed was someone watching his every move for signs of unusual aether manifestation.

  With a final glance toward Rhalla, Val squared his shoulders and moved to join Alfen. Whatever mysteries surrounded his changing abilities, they would have to wait. For now, there was work to do, a mission to plan, and lives depending on him doing both well.