Morning came slowly to Greenwood.
The first light of dawn slipped through the endless canopy, turning the mist between the trees into ribbons of gold. Dew dripped quietly from leaves high above the village platforms, falling in slow, gentle drops to the forest floor far below.
For most of Greenwood's history, mornings like this were completely ordinary.
But today felt different.
Not tense.
Just… watchful.
Word about the human adventurers had spread quickly the previous night. No one panicked—Greenwood's warriors were far too disciplined for that—but the entire village had become more alert.
Scouts had been posted throughout the outer forest.
And several warriors had chosen not to sleep much.
---
John noticed.
The dragon slowly opened one golden eye.
He was still resting in his usual place beside the central clearing. The reinforced platform beneath him creaked softly as he shifted his massive body, stretching one wing outward like a cat waking from a nap.
