Chapter 81 The Grin Beneath The Ash

• The ash still hadn’t stopped falling at the Dusk Monastery.
• Even days after Jacobs and Kael returned with the scorched remains of Flame Guard Dren, the scent of sorrow and char lingered like a ghost trailing behind the wind. The blackened grin on the dead warrior’s face had burned itself into the memory of every commander present — especially Lucy’s.
• She stood now in the Ritual Hall of Moonclaw, the body of Dren laid out on a stone slab surrounded by protective glyphs. Four druids whispered prayers, while Elira cast a binding circle over his soul to keep any lingering essence from being twisted further.