Morning arrived slowly over Greenwood Forest.
The mist that usually lingered between the massive trees was thinner today, allowing warm sunlight to filter through the dense canopy. Birds returned to their morning songs, and the river running beside Greenwood Village sparkled with faint golden reflections.
For most of the villagers, the day felt almost normal.
Almost.
But several people in the village knew better.
Things were moving.
And somewhere in the forest, a dragon was watching.
---
John lay across a massive branch near the top of one of the ancient Greenwood trees.
The branch alone was thick enough to support an entire house, and his massive black body stretched across it comfortably.
His golden eyes were half-closed as he observed the village from above.
From this height, the entire settlement looked small—wooden platforms connected by bridges, houses built into the trunks of colossal trees, and elves moving about their daily routines.
