Henry gathered a handpicked team of twenty soldiers to march south with him. At the same time, he sent messages to his generals and trusted officers, a clear order: Prepare for war. We move south. The time had come to expand beyond Stahl's borders and finally let his people set foot on real land, not only ice all year round.
On the West, Iosif was developing the naval technology, but Henry had chosen the land route first. If the reports from Leier and the intelligence gained from Eleanor proved true, the southern front could be opened swiftly. Still, he would have to tread carefully. Mages, and other unknown forces might be lurking in the shadows.
The team had already crossed the Obex Forest and set their foot on Askiv's lands, Stahl's southern neighbor. It was already night and they set up a makeshift camp.
