On the other side of the Gharrick Mountains, a mild rain shower passed over a fortress in the Amica Federation. It was known as Fort Taubrum.
Pools of water built up on the arid land outside the walls.
A moat around the wall captured some of the runoff, and drainage ditches pulled much of it farther away from the fort.
Soldiers in tan and gray uniforms took shelter.
A patrol outside the fort paused, and its lead officer held a hand out to the rain.
He shrugged and ordered his men to continue as normal.
Within the walls of the keep, protected from the weather in a palatial office, a woman worked through a small stack of paperwork.
A young boy stood at attention at the door.
He watched every movement she made, but kept himself perfectly still.
The reason was obvious to even a casual observer.
A pair of jade gemstones glittered from the woman's collarbone.
