In the village of Bourbriac on the far north-western corner of Gallia, they haven't seen the war against the Neuroi. It's a lot like any other war, a war against humans instead of demons, that way. A lot of the men and a lot of supplies went along when the local lord's second son took a bunch of knights to Karlsland to fight. Recruiters from other lords came through a couple of months later. A Witch came through to make a passionate speech about how all lands loyal to God are banding together, how the world needs magic more than ever and anyone who gets some should do what God would want them to do and join the United Defense Force.

The rumors say the news is dire for Karlsland, whose king has fled to Suomus. The farther-off land of Ostmark is effectively destroyed. But Brittania's forces are holding the line, now, and the ground-bound Neuroi have been stopped by the combined armies of more than twenty kingdoms pouring into central Europe under one banner.

At least the harvest was good. Nobody will starve this winter.

Among all this turbulent news, a teen - on the older edge of the age range, when one would have almost given up hope for this - makes a little light over her hand when her candle burns out.