While King Yuraon took much-needed rest, fueled by additional cups of herbal tea and a sprinkle of Aideen's magic, Stanis stood guard next to the door of his room. Meanwhile, another secret meeting unfolded in the quiet confines of the castle's reading room.
Tillian, Aideen, and Prince Leif convened under the cloak of night to address the urgent matter brought to light by the shocking news within the Crown Prince's message.
The looming specter of inevitable war demanded swift action, with the North being just as crucial to the unfolding events as Geraldion itself.
"They've been preparing for this for quite some time," Tillian began in a hushed yet serious tone. "The Black Flame Guild detected unusual activity several months ago. My scouts observed the royal army recruiting mercenaries, while secret delegations from Anathaen continued to cross the border almost every week."
