As the city gates slowly opened, Corvus, Belisarius and several soldiers entered. The people of the city took to the streets at the sight of the Tiamat's banner. Some bowed their heads in fear, others watched them with curiosity. As Corvus moved coldly among the people, he noticed a few people waiting in the centre of the square. Tanar, Bahoz's chief, and his men had come to meet him.

Tanar, as always, looked at Corvus with his cunning gaze, while his thin build and sly posture gave him away. The fake smile on his face clearly showed his hypocrisy. He was the head of Bahoz's largest family and was responsible for everything in this city. However, the way Tanar had ruled the city for years had always prioritised his own interests. Bahoz was a strategic centre of the Rhazgord; all the horses of the Rhazgord army came from there, and this gave Tanar great power. Corvus had known Tanar for a long time, because Tanar regularly came to Rhazgord to report on the horses. He also realised that Tanar could use this power as a threat.

Corvus watched Tanar as he sat upright on his horse. The buildings casting shadows on the narrow streets of Bahoz, and the eyes all around, made everything feel dark and confusing. He knew the depth of Tanar's power in this city, but the treachery on his face did not escape Corvus' watchful eyes.

"Corvus Tiamat," Tanar began, his voice trembling with feigned respect and flattery. "Welcome to my city. How was your journey?"

Corvus slowly dismounted and stood before Tanar. Tanar bowed his head as usual, but Corvus could read his true intentions in his eyes. "My journey was smooth, Tanar," he said coldly. Then he fixed his eyes on Tanar and added with a slightly wry smile, "Before you ask, I'm here to solve your bandit problem."

The smile on Tanar's face faded for a moment. The concern in his eyes was fleeting, but Corvus did not miss the brief moment. Tanar quickly recovered and regained his false smile. "Ah, minor matters, sir," he said, as if the subject were not worth dwelling on. "The bandits are moving as usual, but they are under control. All is well in Bahoz."

Corvus glanced around the dark corners of the city as he listened to Tanar's words. His eyes caught the figures moving swiftly through the shadows in the streets. It was obvious that Tanar's words did not reflect the truth. The people lurking in the dark corners of the city had begun to appear like a constant threat. Tanar's claim that ‘everything was fine’ was a fairy tale.

Corvus took a deep breath and moved towards Tanar, taking his steps slowly. His expression remained stoic, but there was a threatening tone in his voice. "So everything is all right, Tanar," he said, his eyes piercing Tanar's. He took a step closer. "If everything is fine, why are traders being attacked near Bahoz? Why is it that almost every time trade convoys pass through this area they are plundered?"

Tanar's smile faded completely. There was silence for a few seconds, Tanar tried to avert his eyes from Corvus, but he could not find a way out. His words stuck, he cleared his throat and tried to say something. "Sir... these are... individual incidents. Small groups, don't worry, everything is under control."

Corvus had waited for Tanar to lie. His eyes increased the pressure on Tanar. "Is it individual?" he said, deepening his voice. "Then why are the traders afraid to return, Tanar? If it's under control, why are the roads still unsafe?"

One of Tanar's men stepped forward, his eyes blazing with anger, and raised his voice: "What do we care about merchants! We are warriors, not merchan..."

Before he could finish, Zarqa stepped forward like a shadow and punched him hard in the jaw. It happened so fast that the man didn't even realise what had happened when he found himself on the ground. Corvus merely acknowledged the action with a simple wave of his hand. The rules of the Rhazgord were simple: Leaders were not to be questioned, especially in the middle of a conversation.

"Take care of your men, Tanar!" Corvus thundered. His anger was now uncontrollable. His eyes were blazing with rage. In a city as strategically important as Bahoz, indiscipline and rebellion had no place. For Corvus, it signalled the collapse of order in a city.

Tanar trembled with fear as he watched his man collapse. His face became even paler. He looked crushed under Corvus' sharp gaze, but there was little he could do.

Corvus approached Tanar once more, his voice a more threatening whisper this time. "If you fail to provide security, Tanar,’ he said, his eyes boring into Tanar's. "Sanguinar will tighten his grip on this city. And everything under your control will be taken from you, one by one. This is the first and last warning!"

Tanar stared at the ground. Cold sweat poured down his face, and he looked discouraged. He realised how serious Corvus was about this. This threat meant that he could lose all his power. If Corvus took full control of this city, Tanar would have no presence here.

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Corvus, without changing his stern expression, gave Tanar one last look. His words echoed through the city streets like a slap. "The problems in and around Bahoz will be solved with me, Tanar. You have two days. You will bring me the heads of the bandits! Either you restore order in this city, or I will do things my way."

Tanar could say nothing, his silence betraying the depth of his fear. Corvus recognised this weakness in Tanar's eyes. Tanar's leadership was now in question and Corvus would use this to his advantage.

Corvus turned away without another word to Tanar. Zarqa, Belisarius and the other soldiers followed in silence. A gloom seemed to fall over the city; the echoes of Corvus' words still vibrated through the streets. The power of the Tiamats was being felt more and more in this city.

Corvus and his soldiers had already set up camp outside the city. The camp was set up close to Bahoz and the soldiers were on alert. When Corvus returned to this camp, the stern expression on his face did not change until Belisarius left. The two said goodbye briefly as they would meet again in a few months. One hundred of Corvus‘ trusted warriors joined Belisarius’ convoy and set off for the city of Adler.

Meanwhile, Tanar made his way down a secluded and dark alley. It was one of the most secluded corners of the city, with cracks and moss on the walls and muddy tracks on the ground. Tanar stopped in front of an iron gate in a narrow passage. Hesitantly, he knocked a few times. Then the door creaked open and Tanar entered.

There were several people in the room, their faces hidden by black masks. The eyes behind the masks were focused on Tanar. A figure standing in the shadows approached Tanar with heavy steps. The figure's voice was like the hiss of a snake, insidious and dangerous.

"Why is Sanguinar's son here?" the masked man asked, his voice harsh and questioning. Tanar visibly tensed. He was obviously afraid of these men. He answered in a faint voice: "He has nothing to do with you. He came to wipe out the bandits."

The masked man hesitated for a moment, unsatisfied with this answer. His eyes travelled over Tanar, as if weighing every word. He knew that bandits had been running rampant in Bahoz for years; it was unusual for Corvus to intervene so suddenly and forcefully. The masked man took a deep breath and spoke: "I hope things are as you say, Tanar!Otherwise, forget everything we promised you!"

Tanar's fear was not hard to feel. These men had made promises to him, but if Tanar lost their trust, he could lose everything. Even his life. The masked man turned to the other masked men in the room and ordered in a stern voice: "Watch all movements of Corvus Tiamat!"

The masked men in the shadows bowed their heads and obeyed. Then, another question was raised: "What about the Prince of Adler? Why is he with Corvus?"

This question caught Tanar completely off guard. His eyes widened in surprise. He had not even noticed Belisarius. He stood in silence, not knowing what to say. It was enough to exhaust the masked man's patience. He gestured for Tanar to leave, his voice now clearly threatening. "Get out of here. Don't ever bring me incomplete information again!"

Tanar nodded helplessly and hurried away. His fear was evident in his footsteps, echoing through the dark streets of Bahoz. He went home, praying that things would not get out of hand.

Zarqa entered the tent with quick and silent steps at Corvus' call. The air inside was thick and gloomy. Corvus was deep in thought with several maps spread out in front of him. Raising his head slightly and looking at Zarqa, he called her to him. "Send men to investigate these places in the morning," he said, pointing to several points on the map. His voice was firm and determined. His eyes carefully scanned every corner of the map as if he were forming a battle plan in his mind.

Zarqa accepted the order in silence. But Corvus noticed a slight uneasiness on Zarqa's face. Zarqa was usually cool and calm, which was why he had caught Corvus' attention. He raised his head and stared at him. "What's wrong? If I were a bandit, I'd hide in one of these spots," he said. The locations he showed on the map were both strategic and perfect places to hide.

Zarqa was silent for a few seconds. Without taking her eyes off Corvus, she took a deep breath and responded. "That's not the problem..." he said, his voice lowered. Then he voiced a truth dangerous enough to break the silence in the tent. "Someone is watching the camp. But they don't seem to be from Rhazgord."

These words changed Corvus's expression. His brow furrowed and his gaze hardened. Zarqa's information signalled a much bigger problem than he had thought. "What do you mean?" Corvus asked, his voice hardening. Zarqa knew how quickly Corvus would act, but this situation needed to be handled more carefully.

"When I was checking the soldiers," Zarqa said, his voice still low. "I sensed someone outside the camp. They realised I had spotted them and moved away quickly."