*Warden Commander office, Oakheart Keep, 3rd of August, Year 923 after Caerwyn*

The current Warden-Commander, Freya Caerwyn, sat at her desk, diligently poring over the various reports brought in by the scouts from beyond the towering wall. Sunlight streamed through the open window, casting a warm glow on her raven-black hair, while her keen black eyes glistened in the morning sun. Despite her petite stature of around 1.6 meters and being in her thirties, she possessed a remarkable strength, a legacy of her ancestor Eldric's prowess, further honed by the long years of specialized training under her father, the previous Warden-Commander, Ragnis. Beneath her kind and carefree demeanor, Freya harbored a cunning side, a trait that came with the weight of her esteemed position.

A single slash scar adorned her left eye, a stark reminder of her first scouting mission beyond the walls during her apprenticeship. The scar only added to her fierce presence, a testament to her courage and determination in the face of danger.

While deeply engrossed in thought, a soft knock echoed at her door. Freya looked up and spoke, "Enter."

Bryndor, her trusted aide, pushed the door open with a creak and stepped inside the office. At 43 years old, he carried himself with a sense of wisdom, his blue eyes sharp and observant. With a head of brown hair neatly kept, he wore the insignia of the Black Wardens depicting a shield and broken spear proudly on his uniform.

"Commander Freya," Bryndor announced respectfully, "a letter from Tyr Annwyn bearing the royal seal has just arrived for you."

"A letter from the capital?" Freya quirked an eyebrow with a hint of surprise before deftly tearing it open. The contents revealed themselves to her:

> To the esteemed Black Warden Commander Freya Caerwyn, your presence is required at Tyr Annwyn. We will host the annual ball in honor of the official founding of the kingdom on the first of September. The ball will be hosted by his own Highness King Eirik together with the esteemed members of the Council of Wisdom in the Hall of the Greats. We sincerely hope to have the esteemed Commander with us.

Freya's lips curled into a wry smile as she looked up at Bryndor, her aide. "You see, Bryndor, they suddenly remembered we exist. You'd think they could spare a recruit or two once in a while, or perhaps a bit more in the way of supplies. Instead, they graciously invite us to a party. How truly honored we must feel," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Strap on your suit, Bryndor, and let's go party!"

Bryndor's expression remained composed, his blue eyes meeting Freya's with a mix of understanding and caution. "Commander, you know how these matters go. It's likely a political maneuver by the king, an attempt to draw you into his entourage."

Freya leaned back in her chair, a sigh escaping her lips. "Oh, I'm well aware, Bryndor. These courtly games and their machinations to bolster their image."

"But," she continued with a fire in her eyes, "what angers me most is not the political dance. It's how they seem to forget the will of Eldric Caerwyn and its testament: the Black Wardens exist solely to guard Oakheart and the Tir Nanong Pass, not to be a part of their games or politics. They should spare more resources for our order and not try to make us a political faction."

"Well said, Commander," approved Bryndor. "Do you think about attending the ball? And if you do, what about the wall? You know as well as I do that the Caerwyn blood is bound to it." The experienced advisor's words held a note of concern.

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"To go or not to go? It's an invitation from the ruler of the kingdom after all," pondered Freya. "Bryndor, the walls have been peaceful lately, haven't they? Here's what we will do: have the elite scouts extend their scouting area as far as possible, ideally until the foot of the other side of the Avalorian Mountains, but without compromising their safety. Let's gather information on those beasts. If there's no horde in sight, I'll make the journey to Tyr Annwyn. The road itself doesn't take much time, half a day at most."

"As you wish, Commander Freya. Master Scout Vlad was complaining about the jobs being too easy lately," added Bryndor.

"Did he now? At his age, he should be thinking about retirement, not scouting. Isn't he worried that his creaking bones will attract all the beasts?" Freya joked.

"Commander, please. He's only 45 years old... and he was your mentor," replied Bryndor, a little embarrassed.

"It was a harmless jest, Bryndor. No harm done. What he doesn't hear won't harm him. And he doesn't hear very much anyway, being one-eared and all. Dismissed!" Freya smiled.

Bryndor sighed. "Have a nice day, Commander Freya." As he opened the door, a man was standing in front of it, and you could almost see smoke coming out of his remaining ear. He was an average-sized man, about 1.7 meters tall, with a bald head and a short grey beard. His face sported a small mouth, golden eyes, and a prominent nose. His left ear was lost in a fight against the beasts outside the wall when he was but an apprentice.

"Ah, Vlad. Just in time," Bryndor said with obvious relief, making his escape. "Commander Freya has a task for you."

Freya turned her attention to Vlad and smiled warmly. "Vlad, good to see you. I hope you're still listening."

Vlad tilted his head slightly, his one remaining ear turned towards Freya, a wry smile on his lips. "Well, Commander for you I'm all ear. I'll try not to move too much lest my bones make too much noise and disturb you, your lady."

Bryndor chuckled from the doorway, and with a quick nod, he made his exit, claiming, "I have some matters to attend to."

"And there he goes, sprightly as a lynx." Sighed Freya for herself. "Master Scout Vlad, still as sharp-tongued as ever, I see."

"It comes with the age, Commander. Especially one as old as myself as you so kindly pointed, tends to learn a thing or two." Vlad replied. "So what is the task, Commander?"

"Well Vlad, I'm going to a ball to dance and party!" Exclaimed Freya.

"Excuse me?! What?" Asked Vlad flabbergasted.

"So you didn't hear everything?" Asked Freya.

"Hear what? Commander, you know very well that I don't listen at doors. I just happened to overhear your insightful comments about me when I was about to present my weekly scouting report." Said Vlad outraged.

"I know, I know. I'm just teasing you." Freya showed him the royal letter. "This is what just arrived."

"...hope to have the esteemed Commander with us." After he carefully read it, Vlad lost his composure. "Outrageous! Did they forget that the Caerwyn descendant must forever be at the keep, or do they just think that because we haven't had a major attack in over half a century, the beasts have magically disappeared?"

"I know that Vlad, but I need to plan my response. Hear my order: You and the senior scouts are to form teams and try to scout outside the walls, preferably to reach the foot of the mountains and beyond, and try to find signs of those beasts and see if they are about to form a horde. Safety is of paramount importance. If you feel in danger, retreat immediately. You are not allowed to take risks. If we can ensure that the walls will be safe during the ball, I will participate. If not, they can just as well move the ball to Oakheart for all I care." Said Freya annoyed.

"Understood, Commander," Vlad replied. "Hosting the ball here might be an idea, you know?"

Freya raised a brow. "And what would be the main course? Dried jerky and honey water? That would be an experience for those pompous asses from the city. Oh, and at the end, a hunting party outside the walls, only they won't be hunting rabbits but cyclops and hecantophiles. Or maybe they'll be the prey." Freya began to laugh manically.

Vlad coughed. "Commander Freya..."

"What?" Asked Freya. "It was your idea."

"Those are the weekly reports," and he put two scrolls on her desk. "Nothing noteworthy. Everything's the same as always, except for a behemoth that's been sighted heading north. If this is all, can I take my leave?" Asked Vlad, hoping to leave this delusional Commander to her fantasies.

"Yes, yes, that's all."