Inside the makeshift fort in the heart of Calvery, the locals huddled in anxious stillness. Women and children were huddled near the injured; their expressions were a mix of dread and concern. As the night progressed, the atmosphere became increasingly charged with expectation.

Meanwhile, in the largest office of the temporary fortification, the Iron Legion envoy spoke with the mayor. Those outside the locked doors could barely hear the conversation between them.

The diplomat calmly spoke with a smile that didn’t reach the man’s eyes. "We need information, Mayor. What threat does this valley face, and why did your people send individuals like Drovic to investigate?"

The mayor, frustrated, answered, "I don't know. He was new in town and held his own against the goblin horde. Why not let him go? He saved lives."

The diplomat persistently said in his questioning, "That is why they went—to find out. You argued about this before. Give me something, or the Legion will believe you are working with those who wish to corrupt the forge."

The two guards standing outside the double doors strained to catch snippets of the conversation, their curiosity battling with the overwhelming anxiety that permeated the fortress. The uncertainty of the situation had left the mayor, a usually authoritative figure, grasping for answers.

The mayor's voice, occasionally raised in fury, resonated around the tense space, setting those nearby on edge. The diplomat's calm demeanour indicated a desire for understanding, but the exact nature of the threat and the goal of the expedition's location remained unknown.

As the night wore on, the villagers clung to the hope that the diplomatic efforts would lead to a resolution that spared Calvery from further turmoil. The makeshift fortress, once a symbol of safety, now stands as a testament to the village's struggle for survival in the face of the unknown.

The diplomat's persistence continued as he pressed the mayor for information in the dimly lit office.

Diplomat calm but firm, using his fake deadpan smile. "That is why they went—to find out. You argued about this before. Give me something, or the Legion will believe you are working with those who wish to corrupt the forge."

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The mayor, feeling the weight of the situation, looked conflicted. His eyes darted around the room, searching for an answer to satisfy the diplomat's inquiry.

The mayor hesitated and took a deep breath. "We are not working with anyone who seeks to harm the forge. We don’t believe in the forge; no offence to the legion, but we are just simple miners or fishermen. Drovic and his group went to investigate reports of disturbances. Find out where and why the goblins came. We hadn’t been attacked like that in any of our recorded histories. Sure, skirmishes here and there, but nothing. Strange occurrences have been happening in the mountains for generations; it is just part of the valley. Besides, do you even know where the legendary forge is? We don't know the cause."

The diplomat nodded along and said, "Disturbances? Elaborate, Mayor. We need specifics to assess the situation accurately."

The mayor, compelled by the urgency in the diplomat's words, began recounting the reports of unusual activities—mysterious shadows, eerie sounds, and sightings of creatures not seen before. The diplomat listened intently, absorbing every detail.

That was when the screaming started. The twenty legion soldiers had arrived.

*****

Anna and Kalven’s father didn’t wait long after sending his shadow scouts to find his son. Lord Father, as his servants called him, held a different name, Lord Vicent of Cain.

Lord Vincent of Cain paced anxiously in his opulent study, the heavy velvet of his crimson robe swishing with each hurried step. The flickering light of enchanted candles cast dancing shadows across the room, reflecting the turmoil within him. The intricate tapestries that adorned the walls seemed to mock the chaos that had befallen his once-serene household.

His mind, burdened with the weight of grief and worry, raced faster than his restless strides. The loss of his beloved daughter, Anna, weighed heavily on his heart, and the uncertain fate of his son, Kalven, only deepened his distress. The crimson room, once a place of contemplation and solace, now echoed with the haunting absence of his family.

The air crackled with tension as Lord Vincent brooded over the events that unfolded in the city of Cain. The political pressures from neighbouring nations, the looming threat of the Orc forces, and the mysterious presence of the Red Queen all converged into a storm that threatened to consume everything he held dear.

His thoughts shifted to the northern mountains, an area he believed held the key to saving his city. The scouts reported that the Legion had set up camp near the village in the mountains and were looking. He was a step ahead of them. Determination hardened his gaze as he clutched a pendant around his neck—a family heirloom that pulsed with faint, otherworldly energy. It was a reminder of the responsibilities that came with his lineage and the sacrifices he had to make for the greater good.

As Lord Father stood at the precipice of a pivotal moment, as he stood In the crimson room, Lord Vincent of Cain steeled himself for the challenges that awaited, determined to confront the shadows both within and beyond the walls of his home. He began to cast the spell that would open a portal that would take him to the Red Queen.

With luck, he will arrive at the Bone Keep before anyone else.

He would get to the forge first.