The first light of dawn broke over Lornwood, casting a soft glow on the village. Emily stood at the edge of the square, the cool morning air prickling her skin. She had barely slept, the weight of Aiden's revelations spinning in her mind. The shadows of the previous night felt like a warning, and the unease hung heavily in the air.
As villagers began to stir, preparing for the day ahead, Emily gathered her thoughts. The council meeting would be crucial. They needed to strategize, to solidify their defenses, and to understand the threat lurking in the forest.
Aiden joined her, his expression still serious. "I've called for an emergency meeting. Everyone needs to be on alert," he said, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "We'll share what we found last night and plan our next steps."
Emily nodded, grateful for his decisive nature. "Good. We need to emphasize that panic won't help us. We have to stay united."