A dozen knights were mid-formation, already in armor.
Commander Deran Solin barked orders as fresh horses were prepared and armor caches opened.
"This is no random emergence. These beasts aren't attacking the wall—"
Deran muttered. "We'll hold the front line."
He turned to his aide.
"Tell the Guild. If their leveled hands don't act fast—we won't have a wall to defend."
________________________________
The stone-walled war chamber glowed with sigil-lamps and map projections. The northern wall perimeter was pulsing in red on a circular table—monster sightings marked in rings, clustering like storm clouds ready to burst.
Seated:
Prince Caelen, silent, fingers steepled.
Guildmaster Brannic Hale, reading a fresh missive.
Marshal Veiss,restless.
Duke Kerrel of Eastwatch, leaning over the map.
Commander Deran Solin, newly appointed commander of the Capital Wall Knights.
---
"Ferrow's unit is in position. Four-man silent cell. They breached the ridge line an hour ago. Still no report."
—Guildmaster Hale
The Crown Prince nodded slowly.
"If they've found nothing, they would have returned already. Which means they've found something."
—Crown Prince Caelen
Marshal Veiss pointed to the outer ridge.
"Tactically, that position shouldn't support a large pack. Unless they're using the old ruin paths. That would explain the formation patterns—tight groupings, angled watch lines."
Guildmaster Hale agreed grimly.
"And it means they're being directed. Not random hunger."
---
[Knight Order Selection]
The prince straightened slightly and looked to Commander Deran Solin, who stood at attention.
"You'll take command of the direct suppression unit. How many can you field by nightfall?"
"Seventy knights, Your Highness. Forty from the main order, thirty from the eastern auxiliaries. Fast riders and heavy shieldwall."
—Commander Solin
"You'll have forty. I want twenty to hold a fallback line on the western slope. Ten more to remain in reserve at the inner gate."
—Caelen
Solin blinked, but nodded.
"Understood."
Marshal Veiss frowned.
"That leaves your forward line thin."
"If the forward line breaks, this is no longer a monster problem—it's a siege. I won't waste bodies until we know what we're facing."
—Caelen
---
The prince turned again to Hale.
"Who from the Guild is near enough to reinforce if this turns?"
"Ysarre is returning from the Herrophan. Varric's still in the east.Korran declined current contracts but remains in the capital—watching, as always."
—Hale
"Not enough."
—Caelen
"You'll have adventurer cells. Level 5s, a few Level 6s. I'll flag the quest for priority if Ferrow confirms what we suspect."
—Hale
---
A courier knocked lightly, handed a sealed scroll.
Lucan Ferrow's report.
The room quieted as Caelen opened it. A single page, quick shorthand.
"Monsters present. Coordinated formation. Alpha confirmed: horned beast, intelligent behavior. Evidence of magic use."
"Recommend hold. Awaiting further command."
—L.F.
Caelen looked up, voice steady.
"Send a message: Lucan is to shadow the alpha. No engagement. Keep his team alive."
"Commander Solin, prepare your knights to move. Guildmaster, elevate the quest to level 5+ rank."
"This isn't a patrol."
"It's a extermination."
—Prince Caelen
____________________
The sky burned orange as Commander Deran Solin finished his final checks. Forty knights stood ready in formation—plated, shielded, and mounted. Behind them, auxiliaries prepared light field supply carts and signal flags.
A hush hung over the gate. The old war drum beat once. Then again.
And then: forward.
The Knight Order marched.
---
[ Eastern Forest Path – Nightfall]
The knights moved in disciplined rows, torches low, horses muffled. Eyes swept the treeline. A few younger knights tightened grips on their reins—this wasn't a battlefield yet, but the quiet was wrong.
Commander Solin halted the front.
From the shadows, a lantern flicked twice. A coded signal.
They were expected.
---