The Vanguard forces rested for the night to allow their alchemical engines to cool and their soldiers to recover from the naval slaughter. By mid-morning, Syra and Iron-Scale left the secured shipyards and marched up the winding cobblestone path to the Iron Keep.
Apostle Lucian and Envoy Cassian waited for them inside the castle's grand war room. Lucian had spent the entire night gathering every surviving scout, merchant, and border guard who possessed any knowledge of the western valleys. Dozens of locals crowded around a gigantic oak table covered in blank parchment and vials of ink.
"Draw the terrain exactly as it stands today," Syra commanded as she activated her glowing glass slate to cross-reference their claims.
