The castle was quieter than usual, an unnatural stillness lingering in the air as if the walls themselves held their breath. Kade stood at the balcony overlooking the courtyard, watching the soldiers below sharpening their weapons and reinforcing armor. The night before an impending battle always carried a strange energy — part dread, part anticipation.
"This is it,"
he murmured to himself, gripping the cold stone railing.
"The moment we stop waiting and start taking control."
Footsteps approached from behind. Vask emerged from the shadows, his crimson eyes gleaming in the moonlight.
'Preparations are nearly complete, my lord,'
he said.
'The scouts have confirmed Verath's forces are gathering to the south. They're holding position at the ruins of Korvak's Spine.'
Kade frowned.
'Korvak's Spine? That's a cursed place, isn't it?'
'Indeed,'
Vask replied, his voice calm but grim.
