The coastal town of Merrivale welcomed spring with the kind of unrestrained joy Aria Sullivan hadn't felt in years. The sun, soft but resolute, painted golden streaks over the cobblestone streets. The gentle lapping of waves harmonized with the buzz of voices in the market square, where vendors called out their wares-honeycomb candies, woven baskets, handmade trinkets. Aria pulled her scarf tighter around her neck, her fingers brushing against the worn leather binding of her journal.