Adrian went on to explain how it had tried to counter their defensive fortifications. How it had somehow noticed them before anything else even though he had his [Shadow] mark active. Alaric almost popped a vein when he heard about the [Shadow] mark.

Magnus rested his elbows on his throne seat. Fingers crossed in front of his face. Deep in thought. “Mark sensing goblins involved in raids? Numbers larger than any horde recorded in the past eight centuries?” He whispered to himself.

Their discussion continued within the siblings. All three of them knew this was pretty much over. Magnus was too occupied, deep in thought. They tried to get his attention a couple of times to shed some light on orc tactics, but he never responded. It was only a matter of time before the real meeting started and action decisions would shape the world around them.

“Have we heard any update on the Baron Timotheus situation,” Beatrix said to Alaric.

“No. We would have more if father was still with us.”

Adrian’s curiosity was perked up. Their father was technically a baron as well. They were roughly the same rank in the basic form of feudalism this world followed. Viscount, marquises, dukes, princes, and eventually the king above them.

“What about the Baron?”

“You haven’t read the Scepters reports yet?” Alaric said, leaning back into his seat. Comfortable.

Adrian shook his head. “I arrived today. There had been no time with Olaf’s funeral rites.”

“Yes. Another knight that died under your supervision.”

Adrian frowned. Alaric was trying hard to get a rise from him, but he would not get it.

Beatrix began to explain. If very briefly. The baron had been making encroachments into their territory. An army of knights and soldiers. It was not secret information the man had been greedy and open about his desire for their ancestral fort. Supposedly, it had been like this for over three hundred years.

This time was different though. He had sent an army, and one that had occupied several villages and two town forts. Normal soldiers mostly, but each village had a contingent of six to ten knights depending on its importance. This was a direct declaration of war. One that happened at the worst time possible. A massive horde was at their doorsteps and this man wanted to play politics.

Adrian’s distaste for the man only grew. He never liked him. Having met him once when much younger. Never had he seen a fat knight before, especially one with a history of battles against the hordes and other vicious enemies of the kingdom.

So far, their father refused to face the Baron in open field. Taking the matter to the viscount whenever a small incursion happened. He always worked to de-escalate the issue. Magnus hated nothing more than fighting between their own people. They could be out there together as a unified front fighting the endless numbers of orcs threatening to kill them all. Numbers that kept growing.

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Adrian doubted that would be the case anymore. If anything, Magnus Sterkhander was as vicious as the dastardliest war boss ever known. Him and Halvard.

The discussion continued for another few hours. Adrian had been mostly silent, chiming in a few words here and there when prompted. But otherwise, mute. Alaric and Beatrix carried it the entire time, not slowing down at all. Even with the few words he spoke, Alaric was quick to disagree. Loudly now that their father was in his own mental world.

Even Beatrix had noticed. At some point their eyes meet while Alaric was busy explaining again why Adrian’s suggestion was terrible. Meaning behind hers. They were going to talk after the main audience with their father.

Good. I needed to talk to her anyways.

He wanted to know how far he could push his new idea. The assassin maids. Female knights.

A knock echoed in the room. They had closed them after entering to keep their privacy during familial moments. Now that was gone with the first arrivals making it here. It was only a matter of time before their father’s room would be packed full of important characters from around the entire fortress. Knight Commanders, generals of the regular soldiers, and many more.

“Adrian,” Magnus picked his head up. His eyes burned. “The door.”

Gone was the fatherly figure. It had been replaced by Magnus Sterkhander, Lord of the Silver Fist. In all his glory. The same man that had slammed the doors open not too long ago. Adrian couldn’t help the added taunt and tenseness of his body. It desired to escape.

Adrian got up. Hurriedly opening the door. Three knights in full silver armor of the Silver Fist stood there. Each one had shoulders packed with pins and badges signifying their high rank. Behind them were two knights each, attending to them.

He recalled each one. As their fingers worked to take off their helms. He could hear the clasps click and the great helms coming off. Galant Rhyis, The First Knight Commander, had bright red hair. A massive scar disfigured half his face. A battle wound received killing an unusually powerful War Boss nearly four centuries before Adrian had been born.

Diossius Fos was next. The Second Knight Commander of the Silver Fist. Supposedly a distant cousin of the Sterkhander line. Adrian did not doubt it one bit. Diossius looked as much a Sterkhander as he did. From the way his brows were set, to the square jaw and chin. If he had to point towards anything that signified a difference, it would be the baldness.

Adrian had never met a Sterkhander that had been bald.

The last was Cartek. The Third Knight Commander of the Silver Fist. The youngest of the group and an orphan that had unlocked their Mark system unexpectedly. Many had dismissed his abilities and accomplishments, but not his father. Magnus saw the potential and made sure to develop it to its fullest.

All three were legends within the fort. Stories and tales as long as their father’s. They gave everything in service to House Sterkhander without wavering once. While they were not as impressive as his father, they all had their own intensity. Rightfully so considering they were all Mid-Iron level knights.

Each one presided over a massive branch of the Silver Fists. With the ability to make decisions in Magnus’s stead when he was to busy elsewhere. That was how much he trusted them and their judgements on matters of their expertise.

They one held their helms under their arms. Moving in sync towards the doorway. Adrian got out of their path, stepping completely out of the door frame back into the room. They walked past him without so much as a word.