The magical stones lay in a heavy frosting across the valley and in the glut of it the Binders grazed contentedly. To one side, the Bound shared travel rations and compared notes on the various pooling locations.

It was rare to see this much magic manifest at once, and they had several theories on the why’s and how’s of the unexpected feast. But even in the relaxed atmosphere, there was a note of tension. Sentries rimmed the crest of the narrow valley, watching for the glow of the Goldens.

This much magic coalescing at the same time would send out ripples that the Golden’s bound would feel. It was only a matter of time until the peaceful setting turned into a bloodbath. While the Binders couldn’t eat all of the magic, they dared not let the Goldens in on the feast. This much magic could give them the chance to shatter the balance of power, and too much hinged on that fragile equilibrium…