The atmosphere within Kaedus's castle was suffused with an almost tangible tension. Soldiers hurried through the halls, whispers of unease carried on their lips. The Pact's relentless moves had the fortress on high alert, and even the smallest details felt charged with significance. Kade sat in the war chamber, poring over reports from the scouts dispatched to Sylvana's borders.
Maps lay sprawled across the table, marked with inked notes and hastily drawn symbols indicating the Pact's growing presence. Each new report painted a darker picture, and the weight of it all pressed heavily on Kade's shoulders.
"Am I prepared for this?"
he thought, running a hand through his hair.
"Or am I just winging it until the next disaster?"
The door to the chamber opened, and Vask stepped in, his expression as unreadable as ever.
'My lord,'
he said,
'the scouts from Sylvana have returned. Their findings... are troubling.'
