The castle's outer courtyards were alive with movement as scouts and soldiers prepared for the next phase of operations. Kade stood on the balcony overlooking the activity, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The weight of the decisions ahead bore down on him, but he masked it with a calm expression.
"Another day, another crisis,"
he thought, leaning on the railing.
"Can't wait to see how this one goes wrong."
Behind him, the soft clink of boots on stone signaled Vask's approach. The crimson-eyed servant held another report in his gloved hand, his expression unreadable as always.
'My lord,'
Vask began,
'the scouts you dispatched to Sylvana's northern borders have returned. Their findings confirm the emissary's map. The Pact's strongholds are real, and their influence is spreading faster than we anticipated.'
Kade turned, his face grim.
'How bad?'
Vask handed him the report.
