The grand royal chamber of Luak's castle was a symbol of opulence, one that mirrored the desire of swallowing the whole North. The tapestries and curtains lining the walls were crafted from the furs of bears and foxes, luxurious materials in the North, expensive enough to buy a whole village. Yet, despite this grandeur, there was a stifling sense of decay, like an old tree ready to fall.
Falmer lay sprawled across a massive bed that took up nearly half the room, surrounded by a dozen women. They were all naked, but some of them had bruises all over their pale skin, while others pretended to be asleep with tight shut eyes, curling their bodies as if trying to disappear. None of them dared to move or speak, even though the beast was asleep.
Cough.
Cough.
