[Valen's Office – Early Morning]
The parchment bore little more than a single mark and a single word.
A location marked in ink—open ground two hours northeast, past the tree line. A description: barbarian encampment, one divine-blessed confirmed. Considered a grave threat. Destroy.
Kael read it once and set it down.
"At first light. Take your men. A scout will lead you."
Kael studied the map. A single point and a single word. Encampment.
His finger paused at the mark. Open ground. No ridges. No timber thick enough to conceal a watch line. No natural ground to anchor a defense.
A divine-blessed stationed there? Unlikely.
Barbarians were reckless in battle, not careless in survival. If they truly guarded a chosen one, they would bury him behind timber and stone, not leave him exposed to the horizon. Either the report was incomplete—or the ground was not as empty as it appeared.
"Understood."
[Barracks Courtyard - Dawn]
