August watched the carriages roll up along the road toward his fortress.
There were three of them, all decorated in von Clair regalia.
A company of Anna's soldiers accompanied the convoy.
This wasn't a social visit.
Anna wouldn't have brought so many horseless carriages if she only wanted to see August.
In fact, she probably would have requested that he visited her.
Several weeks had passed since they defeated the bandits and recruited Sen.
Summer had arrived.
Wildlife overran the nearby forests, and pollen filled the air.
August's nose was constantly irritated whenever he was outside.
And the leylines had stabilized.
August descended from the wall.
It now extended farther than it had a few weeks ago and separated the fortress into two halves.
A massive wall protected the upper section of the fortress and ringed the keep.
The soldiers and clerks stayed here and practiced in the main courtyard.
