Kade slouched in his oversized chair, staring at the glowing map spread across the war table. For once, the markers representing enemy forces moved at a slow, almost predictable pace. Everything seemed calm, but Kade couldn't shake the nagging feeling that trouble was brewing.
"Why can't this castle ever give me a proper day off?"
he muttered to himself.
"Something's about to go wrong. It always does."
The doors creaked open, and Vask stepped into the room with his usual air of eerie composure. Kade looked up and immediately noticed the faint urgency in his servant's movements.
'My lord,'
Vask said, bowing slightly.
'There is a matter requiring your attention.'
Kade leaned forward, rubbing his temples.
'Alright, what is it this time?'
'Reports from the western marshlands indicate something unusual,'
Vask said.
'Several scouting parties have failed to return. The survivors speak of strange weather patterns, unnatural sounds, and an overwhelming sense of hostility.'
Kade's frown deepened as he shifted his gaze to the map. His fingers hovered over the western region, where the marshlands sprawled in a tangled mess of murky waters and twisted trees.
'How close is it to our borders?'
he asked.
'The disturbance remains within the marshlands for now,'
Vask replied.
'However, its proximity to nearby villages is cause for concern. If left unchecked, it could escalate.'
Kade sighed, leaning back in his chair.
"Great. Unnatural weather and creepy noises. Just what I needed today."
He glanced back at Vask.
'We need to send someone to investigate this before it gets worse,'
he said.
'Bring me Selyna. She's the best for something like this.'
Vask nodded, bowing once more before disappearing into the shadows. Kade let out a slow breath, his gaze lingering on the map.
"Here we go again. Another problem for me to not get involved in directly. Lucky me."
Selyna entered the war chamber with her usual swagger. Her dark leather armor clung to her frame, her twin daggers gleaming faintly in the dim light. She twirled one of the blades lazily as she approached the table, her sharp green eyes locking onto Kade with amusement.
'You called, my lord?'
she said, her smirk as sharp as her weapons.
Kade gestured toward the western edge of the map.
'We've had reports of disturbances in the marshlands,'
he said.
'Scouts have gone missing, and the ones who made it back are talking about strange weather and even stranger sounds.'
Selyna tilted her head, her smirk widening.
'The marshlands, huh? What a lovely place. Perfect for curses, monsters, and people who can't mind their own business.'
Kade gave her a flat look.
'That's why I'm sending you. I need you to figure out what's going on out there and deal with it.'
Selyna sheathed her dagger with a flourish, her smirk never fading.
'Consider it done, my lord.'
Kade crossed his arms as he watched her.
'Whatever's causing this is dangerous. Be careful.'
Selyna gave him a mock bow, her tone playful.
'I'm always careful. You'll get your answers soon enough.'
She turned and left the chamber, her footsteps fading into the distance. Kade slumped back into his chair, letting out a slow breath.
"Another day, another disaster to avoid. At least I don't have to go myself."
***
The hours passed, and the castle returned to its usual eerie quiet. Kade wandered the halls aimlessly, his thoughts circling back to the marshlands. He didn't want to admit it, but he felt uneasy about sending Selyna there alone.
"I shouldn't worry,"
he muttered to himself.
"She's handled worse. Probably. Hopefully."
As he rounded a corner, he nearly bumped into Brug, the massive ogre who had a grin plastered across his face. Kade took a step back, craning his neck to meet Brug's glowing red eyes.
'Lord Kaedus!'
Brug boomed, thumping his chest.
'When do I get to fight again? Brug is ready!'
Kade raised a hand to stop him before the war chamber shook under his enthusiasm.
'Calm down, Brug. Not every problem needs smashing.'
Brug tilted his head, looking genuinely confused.
'But smashing solves most problems, my lord.'
"Not exactly wrong,"
Kade thought.
'Not this time,'
he said firmly.
'I'll call on you when I need your strength. Until then, stand by.'
Brug nodded, his grin somehow widening.
'Brug will wait. But Brug will be ready!'
He stomped off, his heavy footsteps echoing through the hallway. Kade pinched the bridge of his nose and muttered under his breath.
"One of these days, I'm going to have to let him smash something just so he doesn't explode."
Kade decided to visit the castle's observation tower, hoping the view might clear his head. The climb was long and winding, but the crisp air at the top was worth it. He leaned on the stone railing, staring out over the horizon where the marshlands stretched in the distance.
The sun had begun to set, casting the world in hues of orange and red. The marshlands, however, looked darker than usual. Even from this distance, they seemed cloaked in a haze that didn't belong to the fading light.
"That's not normal,"
Kade muttered to himself.
"Not even for a swamp."
He stayed there for a while, watching the distant shadows deepen. A faint unease settled over him, but he shook it off.
"She'll be fine,"
he said softly.
"Selyna knows what she's doing."
As he turned to descend the tower, Vask appeared at the base of the stairs, his expression as calm as ever.
'My lord,'
he said.
'There are additional updates regarding the marshlands. Would you like me to bring them to the war chamber?'
Kade paused mid-step.
'No. Just tell me here.'
'The disturbance appears to be growing in intensity,'
Vask said.
'There have been sightings of strange lights emanating from deep within the swamp.'
Kade frowned, gripping the stone railing.
'Strange lights?'
'Yes, my lord,'
Vask said.
'It matches the description of certain magical phenomena tied to hostile entities.'
Kade sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"Nothing can ever be simple, can it?"
He nodded toward Vask.
'Keep me updated. I want to know as soon as we have more information.'
Vask bowed.
'As you command, my lord.'
As Vask disappeared into the shadows once more, Kade lingered at the top of the stairs. He looked back out at the marshlands, now completely swallowed by darkness.
"Don't get yourself killed, Selyna,"
he muttered.
"Because I'm really not in the mood to figure out how to replace you."
Kade descended the stairs, his mind heavy with unanswered questions.