The war chamber was unusually quiet. The usual hustle of commanders, scouts, and attendants had ebbed to a lull, leaving Kade alone with the sprawling map on the table before him. The markers of their victories glinted faintly in the torchlight, but Kade's gaze kept drifting to the empty spots places where Verath's forces had disappeared or regrouped, their intentions unclear.
"Everyone says we're winning,"
he thought, rubbing his temples.
"So why do I feel like I'm sitting on a powder keg, just waiting for someone to light the fuse?"
The doors creaked open, and Vask entered with his characteristic silence. His crimson eyes reflected the dim light as he approached Kade, bowing slightly before speaking.
'My lord,'
he said,
'the scouts report continued movements among Verath's forces. It seems they're retreating further east, though their patterns remain erratic.'
Kade frowned, tapping his fingers on the table.
