Thunderwood Forest, somewhere deep in the southern region.
The Storm Vulture circled overhead before descending, and Arden dismounted, prostrating himself before Lord Gareth, who was seated on the Abyssal dragon.
"Milord, your orders have been delivered!"
Lord Gareth opened her eyes, and a golden light flickered within them.
"How many troops did they bring?"
Arden kept his head lowered, not daring to meet Lord Gareth's gaze. His manner was humble and deferential to the extreme.
"Slagor brought eighty thousand bloodline warriors and ten thousand swamp crocodiles.
"Soraya of the scorpion tribe came with the High Priestess and one giant scorpion warrior. I'm not sure exactly how many scorpions she brought, but it's quite a lot.
"The giant chieftain, Orion, led fifty thousand cave spiders, forty thousand bloodline warriors, and three Alpha-level powerhouses."
