Annan jolted awake in bed, a fine sheen of sweat beading on his forehead.
"Did you have a nightmare?"
The question broke the silence of the Bedroom.
Annan trembled slightly and looked up. Della was leaning against the wall.
"...Why are you in my room?"
"Your assistant asked me to stay close and protect you," Della replied.
"Yes. A terrifying nightmare..." The despair of it still lingered in Annan's mind. "I saw the earth split open, the Snow Mountains collapse, and countless Ratfolk and demons surge toward us. Every living thing wailed in endless agony..."
A cold glint flashed as Della drew her dagger and looked toward the window. A black raven had landed on the sill.
“That was no dream, young Lord.”
It spoke in a sigh: "Forgive the unannounced visit, but we must leave."
"You're a Druid?"
"I lead the Druids. You may call me Prophet."
"Has something happened?" Annan threw off the covers and pulled on his Mage Robe to hide his white shirt. "Only half the Druids are in Star-Moon Bay. The others are still cleansing the former lands of the Violet Kingdom..."
"Their Chief will tell them." The raven spread its wings. "Farewell..."
"Wait!"
The endless Forests of the North had yet to recover. The Druids' sudden departure told him something was wrong.
Annan ran to the window without putting on his shoes. The black raven vanished into the black night, while the Druids flew east like migrating birds.
Then Dade's soft voice suddenly sounded in Annan's ear:
“Young Lord, the Northern Frontier is no longer a safe haven. Leave this place. Go to Wilhelm...”
The lingering dream and the Druids' warning pressed down on Annan together. Suddenly he struggled to breathe, as though an invisible hand had seized his heart.
"What's wrong?" Della noticed