In the heart of the Rigil district, King Xerxez presided over a tense council of his military commanders. The chamber, adorned with sprawling maps and ancient relics, spoke of a kingdom steeped in history—a history meticulously preserved in the revered Thallerion tome, rendering the wisdom of living elders obsolete. For the Thallerions, knowledge of their past was paramount, and ignorance a folly.
Xerxez, facing the full assembly of his military leadership, first confirmed the grim message dispatched to Ossibuz. His words to their leader, Matar, were unwavering: "I will not retreat from you, Matar, even though you are Corvus's subordinate. Just ensure you uphold the agreement, but if you attack as you did in Wendlock, we will not announce when we strike." The fate of Cathark, their messenger, remained unknown, adding to the palpable tension.
