The morning sun had just risen when Isabella stood before the village. A light wind lifted her hair, and the soft golden glow made her fair skin even brighter.
Behind her were many baskets, all filled with strange seeds, shoots, and small plants she had gathered during her journey.
The beastmen stood in rows before her. Their large figures cast shadows across the ground, but their eyes were focused completely on Isabella. Even the usually unruly ones were standing straight like obedient cubs.
Winter would come in three months. If they didn't prepare, the entire village would struggle.
Isabella remembered clearly how ophelia had told her how hungry everyone was last winter. Their food stores had almost run out, and the men had to hunt every single day, even when snow had buried the forest floor.
This year would be different.
