Outside the great hall of the North Sea Palace, warriors and leaders from numerous tribes paced restlessly, their fingers tapping against the Cold Iron Spears or Great Curved Bows in their hands.
A grim, solemn atmosphere enveloped them all. No one spoke. The two opposing factions stood silently on either side of the great hall's entrance in a silent standoff.
The tribal warriors led by Hunt of the North Snow Tribe now slightly outnumbered the West Ice Tribe, who had previously boasted nearly double their numbers. Most of the smaller tribes had gathered on their side.
