[Outside Military Police Headquarters]
The entrance remained quiet except for wind pulling at stone walls and scattered snow.
Damian sat on the steps, his legs stretched out before him, his back resting against cold wall.
The bottle dangled from his fingers, amber liquid catching what little light reached this far.
He lifted it to his lips, the alcohol going down smooth and warm, doing nothing except making the exhaustion feel slightly more distant.
Then something shifted in his awareness.
His heart started hammering against his ribs without warning.
Thump thump thump
The beats came harder, faster, each one sending shockwaves through his chest.
And cutting through his consciousness like a blade–
Multiple voices, resonating from somewhere beyond his immediate awareness:
"Blood Calls To Blood, The Northern Iron Wakes!"
"We Feel The Crest Burning, We Answer The Name!"
"We Are Bloodworth's Sworn, The Shield And The Blade!"
