After Zephyr’s defeated order, the Drakthar ships turned slowly, their black sails catching the wind. Everyone on the coast watched as the fleet drifted further and further away, shrinking into dots on the horizon.
No one moved or spoke until the ships completely vanished from sight.
As the ships finally disappeared, a long sigh of relief passed through the n of the Watch. Weapons lowered, stiff shoulders relaxed, and the tense silence finally broke into low murmurs and quiet chatter.
Morvain stood silent, her eyes fixed on the distant sea, her expression unreadable. Korvath stepped forward and stood right beside her.
"You handled that well, Matriarch,"
Korvath said respectfully.
"It was a close call,"
Morvain replied quietly.
"Too close."
She narrowed her eyes.
The rest of the Elders slowly gathered around Morvain. Their faces were grim, each deep in thought.
"They knew far too much,"
Elder Nyris, the High Chronicler, spoke, her voice filled with worry.
"There is no doubt—there is a spy among us."
The rest of the Elders nodded. They would be fools if they still had any doubts regarding this matter. Just as Elder Nyris said, they knew far too much; so of the things Zephyr revealed were far above what they had revealed to the rchants who ca here to trade.
"We need to find this spy quickly, before things get any worse."
Morvain spoke in a grim tone.
"Who could betray us like this? Who among our people would report to Drakthar of all people?"
Tarevian, the Voice of the Commonfolk, spoke, crossing his arms and looking frustrated.
The rest of the Elders shook their heads. This was the reason they were having such a hard ti believing that there was a spy amongst them. Every Velmourn, including them, hated Drakthar and its Dogs to their core. Even if they wanted to betray their people, the Dragonborns would be the last people they would go to.
"It doesn’t matter who it is. What’s important is that we need to find him, and we need to find him quickly."
Morvain spoke in a solemn tone.
"Indeed."
Aelindra nodded.
"We have been secluded with next to no contact with the outside world, yet sohow they learned everything. This spy is soone very close."
She muttered.
"And has been with us for a very long ti,"
Morvain added quietly.
Their conversation did not go unnoticed. The n of the Watch listened closely, their faces troubled. Not only had they faced Drakthar for the first ti in their lives, but now they were hearing that soone among them had betrayed their people.
One soldier, younger and bolder than the rest, stepped forward nervously.
"Matriarch... is it true? Is there really a spy among us?"
Morvain looked at him with calm but firm eyes.
"Unfortunately, yes. Drakthar knew too much—things they could not know unless soone inside told them."
Whispers spread quickly. Soldiers glanced at each other, suspicion and confusion filling their eyes.
Another soldier called out,
"And what about Lady Lavinia? Is it true she’s a Dragonborn Princess?"
Morvain paused, knowing she could not hide it anymore. She t their gazes, speaking clearly.
"Yes. Lavinia is indeed Lavinia Dragonborn. But she has been here helping us. Teaching us. She did not deserve the hatred that was stirred today."
The soldiers fell silent, stunned. Many could not believe they had learned magic from a Dragonborn—the family they were raised to despise.
Morvain knew what they were thinking. She knew she needed to say sothing here else things might go out of control.
"Lavinia is a Dragonborn Princess, yes. However, this does not an she is an enemy.
She is a necessity."
She spoke, her eyes shining strongly.
"She is the sole human with an affinity with every single elent that exists. Her Magic Foundation is stronger than most mages in the entire world. Half of the spells she created are now used by every mage throughout Nerathis because of how much more advanced they are. Even the strongest mages in the world have no choice but to accept that.
She is what they once called the Future of Magic."
The Matriarch’s eyes then scanned the n of the Watch and—
"My hatred for Drakthar and the Dragonborns isn’t any less than any of you, but because of what she showed , I had no choice but to let her stay.
We need Lavinia Dragonborn to survive and usher in a new Era—an Era where the Velmourns are no longer suppressed.
An Era where the things Drakthar offered us today, we would be able to create on our own."
"..."
The n of the Watch turned silent. They didn’t refute Morvain’s words, but even now, Morvain could sense their hesitation. Of course, it was natural. She could see how difficult it would be to accept a Dragonborn, but—
"Not to ntion..."
She began.
"If we do not accept her and send her away,
The Dragon Rider won’t stay with us either."
Those words instantly attracted everyone’s attention, and the Matriarch continued,
"You must have seen it as well.
Dragon Rider Kael will not leave Lavinia Dragonborn in any case."
The n of the Watch nodded at those words. Just as Morvain said, they had seen it with their own eyes. The two of them were practically inseparable. There was no way the Dragon Rider would leave her.
"..."
"..."
Silence fell over the place.
Every single person here knew just how strong Kael Dragonborn was. They couldn’t afford to lose soone like him, not right now.
The n of the Watch nodded at each other, Morvain’s words lingering in their minds, making them reconsider their quick judgnts.
"KRRRIIIIIIIRRRKKKKKK!!!"
They still had a few more questions, but before anyone else could speak, a sudden commotion erupted in the distance.
Everyone turned, startled, as they saw a soldier riding a winged beast rushing rapidly toward them. The beast flew fast, landing roughly on the rocky shore, kicking up sand and dirt.
"Matriarch! Commander!"
The soldier shouted urgently, jumping down from the beast, nearly losing his balance in haste.
"The Wall! Tribesn!
The Tribesn—they’re attacking the Wall!"
He reported in a hurry.
Instantly, the relief vanished, replaced again by tense urgency. Korvath stepped forward, face tight with determination. He didn’t ask how it happened or any other details. That could be discussed as they moved.
Right now—
"Prepare to move out imdiately!"
He ordered.
The Matriarch nodded as well. She turned towards the n of the Watch and—
"Let’s go. We have a wall to defend."
Without another word, the soldiers gathered themselves once again, summoning their fastest winged beasts as they launched themselves into the air.
"Report."
Korvath, riding at the front, turned to the soldier flying beside him.
"Tell exactly what happened,"
The Commander ordered firmly.
"How did the tribesn catch us off-guard?"
The soldier nodded nervously.
"W-We weren’t caught completely off-guard. Dragon Rider Kael and Lady Lavinia suddenly arrived at the Wall about fifteen minutes ago. They warned us that the Stonefang tribe was preparing an attack. They ordered us to quickly mobilize the remaining n and prepare to defend."
"Kael and Lavinia?"
Korvath raised his brow in surprise.
"Yes, Commander,"
The soldier continued.
"But we... we hesitated. We were on Watch duty but saw nothing unusual. No movent, no signals—nothing at all. We assud Dragon Rider Kael was mistaken or exaggerating."
"And?"
Morvain glanced sharply toward the soldier.
"Ten minutes later, exactly as Dragon Rider Kael warned, the entire Stonefang tribe appeared. All two hundred and fifty warriors, charging directly at us."
The soldier swallowed anxiously.
"Did Kael take charge?"
Korvath questioned with a solemn look on his face.
"He did, Commander,"
The soldier replied quickly.
"He imdiately organized the defense, ordered everyone into their positions, and sent to inform you. When I left, he was still preparing our defenses, but I don’t know how they’re doing now."
"..."
The Elders turned silent. Morvain nodded at the soldier. She didn’t bla the n of the Watch. Even when Kael ca to her, telling her about the Drakthar ships, she didn’t believe him until another scout reported the sa thing.
If anything, it was Kael who had this divine ability to know things before they even happened and prepare accordingly. It was almost as if he was omniscient.
"We need to hurry,"
Korvath spoke firmly.
"Kael bought us precious ti, but the Stonefangs are known for their fierce warriors and unparalleled strength. They won’t hold long against the entire Stonefang army with just one hundred n."
The Commander explained. As soone who knew the situation of the Walls and different Tribes the most, the Stonefangs were honestly the worst of all tribes that could attack right now.
Things... might take a turn for the worse before they even get there.
Just as that thought appeared in his mind, he quickly shook his head and turned back toward his n.
"Increase your speed! The Wall needs us—move!"
With renewed urgency, the Velmourn soldiers urged their beasts onward, racing swiftly toward the Wall, hoping desperately they would arrive in ti.
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