Luca Stormwind's Arc

Chapter 1 of 2

Luca climbed the brick watchtower at first light, hoping to spot trouble before it found Aldenmore. He wanted to earn his place as sworn protector, and that meant seeing everything. But the town spread wide below him, and his eyes could only point one way at a time. A shout rose from the market square. Luca turned, then heard glass break in the other direction. He ran down the steps, knowing he would reach one street too late and miss the other entirely. By the time he got there, a cart had tipped and a child was crying. He helped lift the wheel, but his jaw was tight. Across town, a window had been smashed, and no one had stopped it. Luca walked to the pink house at the edge of the lane. His friend was sweeping the step. "I can't be everywhere," he said. She set the broom down. "Then don't try to be," she answered. "Ask people to watch with you. Start with me." He nodded slowly. He had been guarding alone. That ended today.