Darius leaned forward, forearms resting on the table. The messenger from Dawnbreak, according to both Ryker and Cedar, was a man of unimpressive wit. That alone was insulting. To send someone so dim ahead of the official party? It felt like a calculated slight. As if Dawnbreak considered Ironshade trivial, just another backwater outpost, ripe for control and rich in ore.
Ryker slid the envelope across the table to the other man, Darius merely looked at it and waved his hand. The letter was already unsealed and presumably had been read by Ryker.
"No need, tell me what it is," Darius said.
Ryker pulled the seat closer to Darius and placed his hands on the table. He had ridden straight from Blackthorn Keep, and the fatigue showed faintly around his eyes, though his voice gave nothing away.
"To cut it short," Ryker began, "he's requesting an audience with you."
Darius hummed. "It can be done when his party arrives, I have work to do."
