The doors of the Diamond Lake garrison swing open as Allustan strides in from the road, cloak still damp with marsh fog. Mud stains his boots and urgency sharpens his voice.

Captain Trask looks up from a table covered in maps of the Cairn Hills.

Allustan wastes no time.

“Blackwall Keep has been attacked.”

The room stills.

Allustan continues:

“If the garrison falls, the marsh will have an open road north. Diamond Lake will not be far behind.”

Captain Trask’s jaw tightens as he considers the request.

Sending troops is not simple.