Windham staggered outside, panting, heart hammering so hard it threatened to burst through his chest. He rested his hands on his knees and bent over, fearing he might vomit.

He was dangerously behind schedule. Nothing this morning had gone as planned. Saying goodbye to his grandmother had been… more difficult than he had anticipated. He had thought they were on the same page, believed she had all but asked him to do it. But when it had come time, Gran Gran hadn’t wanted to say goodbye after all. She had resisted, which had only made it harder for him.

He had never done anything like that before. He felt dirty and gross. It had felt wrong… but he knew he’d done the right thing. He didn’t know much about his new allies and the invasion that was beginning today. But one thing he did know was they would not be taking any prisoners or showing any mercy. He hated the idea of what some soldier caught up in the fever of war might do if they found her, feeble and alone.

What he had done had been an act of kindness. Kindness and love.

He stepped out into the gravel roadway that passed by his house and through the village. Save for the sound of the birds in the trees and a lone dog barking somewhere in the distance, it was a quiet morning. He looked to the west, to Safehaven.

The sky was dark and cloudy and the air had held the promise of imminent rain. His village wasn’t far from the city, a mere thirty minute walk away, and on clear days he could see a substantial part of the taller towers and spires. He almost always could see Godknight Tower.

But not today. Today all he saw was the long white base of the tower disappearing into the darkening clouds.

Ominous.

Had the attack begun? Would he hear it or see signs of it if it had?

He felt torn. His original plan would have seen him already in and out of Safehaven, Lilly by his side, heading as far east—as far away from the city—as they could get. He knew their relationship had not reached the level where she would come with him, no questions asked. She would come around eventually, of course. But until then, he’d have to find a way to convince her that following him was a good idea.

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He had decided telling her his Gran Gran was sick and that he needed help was as good a reason as any other. He worried Lilly might insist on bringing a healer along, or even send one in her place. His answer to that would be no, Gran Gran was afraid of healers, please just come and take a look, I don’t know who else to turn to, blah blah blah.

He was hours behind schedule. If the attack wasn’t happening at this very moment, it would be soon. It would be crazy to go to the city now. Crazy and dangerous. He had his red sash tied tightly around his waist, which in theory should protect him. But Frost had told him to stay away from the city. The scene was no doubt going to be chaotic, and his sash could easily be missed. Or he could be unintentionally trampled, shot by a stray arrow, or flattened by tumbling debris.

His best bet would be to start east right now. Windham’s plan would have him and Lilly continuing east, moving as fast as they could and staying close to the main roads. Putting as much distance between themselves and Safehaven, where the brunt of the initial assault would take place. They’d be discovered eventually, of course, which was part of the plan. But hopefully by then the fighting would have calmed down enough that he would be able to pick a safe time and location to give them the “red sash” signal.

It was what he should do now. The only decision that made sense. Move east.

But could he so easily just leave Lilly behind? After losing his Gran Gran just moments earlier, was he really prepared to be so very alone? But going into Safehaven while it was under attack was absurdly dangerous. Perhaps suicidal. He’d waited so long for his chance at greatness. He was so close. Was it really worth the risk? Was she?

He rubbed his fingers against his forehead and gritted his teeth. Indecisive. Weighing the options.

“Shit,” he said.

Decision made, Windham hurried back in the house to grab the small pack he’d prepared the night before. He slung it over his shoulder and hurried back towards the front door, careful not to look into Gran Gran’s room.

He returned to the road and looked both ways one last time.

“Shit!” he repeated.

He began walking west, towards Safehaven. A moment later, it became a jog, which soon turned into an all-out sprint.