[Captain Varesh's Chamber — Same Time — Night]
The night had settled quietly over Silthara Palace; beyond the windows, desert drifted through the darkness.
Within the palace...the news had already begun spreading. The Golden Blood had hatched. The heirs of Zahryssar had finally entered the world, and because of that... High Mage Arkhazunn was walking quickly through the corridors, intending to visit the Malika's residence.
Yet halfway there...he stopped; a faint sound reached his ears, a low groan of pain. His brows furrowed; the sound had come from a chamber nearby.
Captain Varesh's chamber. Arkhazunn glanced toward the slightly opened door. For a moment, he hesitated, then...he pushed it open. The chamber was dimly lit; only a few oil lamps burned beside the walls.
And there...sitting upon the edge of a chair was Varesh. The captain had removed his upper robes, a deep wound stretched across his ribs.
