Flanking the main throne stood two warriors of the Talon Guard, standing as completely motionless statues. Their heavy, overlapping plate armor was a masterwork of dark steel and brilliantly polished silver, etched with intricate, predatory talon-claw designs that curled over their massive pauldrons as if a beast were gripping their shoulders.

Their helms were entirely enclosed, featuring an aggressive, angular visor and topped with a massive, sweeping trailing crest of dark blue and black feathers that caught the drafts of the hall.

Their deep royal blue capes, heavily embroidered with recursive gold talon patterns along the borders, fell perfectly straight to the stone floor. Neither guard moved, their gauntleted hands resting heavily on the pommels of their single-edged, brutal executioner’s greatswords.

They, however, watched silently as Dornn Tallvalor stood before the subordinate throne, his head slightly lowered.

"So, you’re saying that houses in the mountains have seen an increase in the number of primals in their areas, and that even Dark Reds are being pushed out of the forest?" A soft and sweet voice, like honey, resounded through the hall.

"Yes, my Lady," Dorrn continued to keep his head down but nodded.

"And why am I only receiving this information now?"

"When I received the news I returned to the halls but was stopped by one of my men. A group of scouts had returned from the forest and had to show me something. They too had reported a slight increase in the number of light red beasts nearing our territory but not like what that man had said..." Dorrn looked up, his eyes flashing with a brilliant light. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

His gaze landed on the one occupying the subordinate seat in the hall. Lady Thalia Morvayn, daughter of Mormaer and Thane Godarwin Morvayn.

She was beautiful, her piercing ice blue eyes staring at him with an unquestionable gaze of command. Her ashen-blonde hair was braided back into a coil.

"And what would be of such importance that you took a whole day longer to come and report to me, Tallvalor?" Her gaze turned cold.

"The aftermath of a few battles, my Lady. Our men had been in skirmishes against scouts from house Draken. So far, I have visited three different sights of battle where our men fought... House Draken are getting angsty and are on the move." he reported honestly.

"And pray tell why you had to go and see to damages instead of our sergeants?" she pressed.

"A high warden was killed, my Lady," he reported honestly, his voice ringing out through the silent hall.

Lady Thalia’s eyes narrowed, and the coldness dissipated. "What of the others? How many casualties and wounded?"

What replaced her coldness was the heartfelt concern as her expression softened with the arrival of the news. Her attitude did a whole one-eighty, and Dorrn, who seemed used to it, smiled for a moment before replying.

"Including the High Warden and his party, 15 men were killed and 12 injured with a variety of wounds. Most of the men killed were the warden’s party. I did however find no evidence of the other party in the area surrounding them nor possible blood... it may be that some primals appeared, however based on the corpses of our men, I can only presume..."

"We have a Draken commander or a Blood Thane amongst us. Is that what you are suggesting?" her voice raised in alarm.

"In the city or at least in the near vicinity of the city," he nodded with a solemn expression. "My Lady, if I may suggest, I think we should alert the Lord Wardens. If it’s a Draken Commander, then we would have no problem dealing with them; however, a Blood Thane is not something we can handle."

"I’m not sure the Lord Wardens would be able to come. Four of them are guarding my father, and the other one keeps watch over the sea entrance or any threats beyond that. He may be able to help, but he will not move unless entirely certain he needs to... the skard pirates and even the primal sea beasts are starting to make some moves in the deeper regions as well," she sighed, shaking her head in response.

"For now, I want you to increase all men on the gates and on patrols, double the men if you have to. I want no draken spies in my city!" She gave the commands with absolute authority.

"As the tide listens, so will I." Dornn nodded and saluted. He was halfway out of the door when the voice of Thalia rang out behind him, "Send the wounded to the healers, and give compensation for the families of the dead. Their men have fought for us valiantly, and nobody will do them any harm... now go!"

Dorrn turned, saluted once more, and disappeared beyond the large iron doors. ’Still the same old Thalia,’ he chuckled as he donned his helmet and strode off.

***

The carts and wagons had been filled to the brim with supplies, and the group had started on their journey towards the cabin at dawn. The builders had once more gathered and followed along in a more orderly fashion than before.

Resven took the lead, and the others scattered around as they guarded from the side. Keren was the only one not seen in the long line as he was tasked with scouting as they moved. He had continued on ahead, ensuring that they would not be able to run into any beasts in their journey.

However, being only one man made it difficult to cover everywhere.

Off to the side where Mestin was walking alongside the cargo, the rustling of trees and bushes sounded to his left. It wasn’t subtle; rather, the trees creaked, and the branches strained under the weight of something moving closer.

"Prepare for battle!" the large man shouted without hesitation, pulling his war hammer from his back. He took his stance.

"Mornell! Get your builders together and behind the wagons! We’ll take care of the beasts!" Came Resven’s shout as he was the first to react to Mestin. Pulling out his own hammer, he stood a few meters to Mestin’s right.

Telarin soon joined on the left.