"…We have urgent news about Lady Renara."
"…?" Caesar lowered his legs and straightened his posture with a sharp motion. Then, with two crisp claps of his hands, he gave the order: "You may all take your leave for now, and begin the execution of the new strategy immediately."
"Yes, sire." The generals bowed one after another in practiced unison before proceeding toward the great gate. As they walked in pairs or groups of three, hushed conversations rose between them, their voices fading as they disappeared beyond the portal.
Once the last of them was gone, Caesar's gaze shifted toward Leonid. His tone was solemn, his face set with a weight that did not often surface. "Speak. What happened?"
He had been nothing but serious about this matter ever since his meeting with Renara several years ago.
