The castle was quieter than usual. Kade sat in his throne room, one leg draped lazily over the armrest of his chair as he watched the embers of a fire dance in the grand hearth. The victories of his commanders had left the castle abuzz with confidence, but for Kade, the quiet was a double-edged sword.
"Too quiet,"
he thought, drumming his fingers against the armrest.
"Quiet means I have time to think... and thinking means I start worrying about the next disaster."
Vask stood nearby, his crimson eyes unwavering as he watched his lord. He didn't speak, but Kade could feel his presence like a shadow in the room.
'My lord,'
Vask said finally, breaking the silence.
'You seem... contemplative.'
Kade waved a hand dismissively.
'Just trying to enjoy the calm before the next storm,'
he said with a wry smile.
'Which, if history is anything to go by, should be arriving... oh, any second now.'
