As Thales and the rest fled the gatehouse, a tense stalemate rarely seen before since the establishment of Eckstedt was happening in front the main door of the Hall of Heroes in Heroic Spirit Palace.
Amid the illumination of flames, some men stood in front of the Hall of Heroes with unpleasant expressions, and protected the noble people in the oval stone hall. This included the four archdukes' respective protectors and the attendants of a small number of special nobles. The other nobles in the banquet were not allowed to bring their attendants along. There were also White Blade Guards, who stayed behind for garrison duty, and some palace guards. They stood together in a battle array with a tacit understanding exclusive to Northlanders. Some of them had their bows and arrows ready, while the others had their swords out of their sheaths.
