Book 16: He's Back

Marianna

The first frost of the season blankets Crescent Falls on the morning twelve ships come into view off the shore of Tarsian.

Josie, Misty’s daughter, is weaving Skye’s hair into two braids by the hearth where Maddy keeps watch, occasionally and discreetly checking the dainty watch on her wrist. I stand near the window, watching golden and red leaves tremble on the trees along the wall of the garden before they sway down to the shimmering, silver grass. The sun rises on Crescent Falls, then Eastonia, on what I know will be a historic day.

We got the news about the ships headed back in our direction a week ago. Since then, every member of the family has been debating next moves. Aviva and Ryan are readying the Deadlands for the arrival of what Maeve said would be approximately three thousand people, including hundreds of children, none of th