The knights exchanged uneasy glances, their fear of the Baron outweighing their terror of the creature above.
Geisler straightened his coat, brushing off imaginary dust as he paced in front of his men. "Do you know what separates us from the monsters we hunt?" he asked, his voice calm but laced with disdain.
The knights remained silent, their eyes following him as he walked.
"Preparation," Geisler continued, his tone sharpening. "Intelligence. Strategy. These are the tools of civilization, the tools of power. And yet, here we are, fumbling in the dirt like peasants, hoping a single scroll would save us from our incompetence."
He stopped abruptly, turning to face his men. "That creature killed my son," he said, his voice rising slightly. "It crushed him like an insect and laughed as it did so. Do you think it will show any of you mercy?"
The knights lowered their heads, shame and fear etched into their faces.
