"Have you heard? Lord Bilet's reinforcements are all gone!"
"The Holy Alliance people are already near the city walls, Lord Puzilio is going to flee!"
"It's over, it's over, our Sk Wolf Castle is doomed!"
The battered wind carried the fragmented whispers through the cracks in the door, stabbing like needles into Knight Commander Maolun's heart.
He reined in his horse, glancing back at the castle ahead.
The guards on the city wall had lost their previous upright posture, some leaning against the arrow tower drinking, others squatting in the corners murmuring.
Their spears even leaned casually against the wall, showing no signs of alertness.
"Are you sure Lord Puzilio has returned?"
"Sure." The guard at the door whispered, "Just left the city, he'll be back soon."
"Let's go to Lord Puzilio's residence."
The bells were light, but Maolun's heart was extraordinarily heavy.
He had been waiting in the military camp all afternoon, growing more anxious by the moment.
