Alaric sat in his study, the flickering glow of candlelight casting long shadows across the room. The mansion was eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the storm of thoughts brewing in his mind. He leaned back in his chair, fingers lightly tapping the armrest as he considered the next steps in their ongoing struggle. His gaze drifted to the nearby window, where the moon hung low in the sky, bathing the landscape in a cold, pale light.
The calm was broken by the soft sound of footsteps approaching. Gilbert entered the room, his expression calm but purposeful. He bowed slightly before speaking, his voice measured but filled with a hint of excitement.
"Master, we've received intelligence on the location of the Hangrove Clan," Gilbert announced.
Alaric's eyes sharpened, a glint of satisfaction flickering in them as he sat up straighter. "Good," he said, his voice steady but carrying an undercurrent of anticipation. "Where are they hiding?"
