The atmosphere in the war chamber was laden with tension. The recent victory had brought temporary relief, but Kade could sense that something darker was brewing. He paced around the table, maps sprawled out, his mind working overtime to piece together Verath's next move.
"This doesn't add up,"
Kade muttered to himself, running his fingers through his hair.
"Why retreat if you're still holding all the cards?"
Vask, standing by his side, watched Kade intently. His crimson eyes gleamed in the flickering torchlight as he finally spoke.
'Perhaps it's a feint, my lord. Verath has never been one to relinquish power so easily.'
Kade turned to him, his brow furrowed.
'Exactly. Which means there's something we're not seeing. Something bigger.'
Elvara stepped into the room, her silver hair glinting like molten moonlight.
'We've received a report from the scouts near the western territories,'
