While the palace slumbered beneath the pale glow of the half-moon, beyond its towering gates villages lay scattered across the lowlands, their roofs dark and hearth fires dimmed.
While families curled into rest after a long day of labour, night insects filled the air with a steady hum, and somewhere far off, a lone wolf howled and was quickly answered by silence.
Life had slowed.
This was the hour when worries were set aside and tomorrow’s problems were left for the morning.
Yet, while Wolfsbane slept beneath quiet skies, House Greyson did not.
“What is the meaning of this, Damiel?” A loud voice echoed, followed by a heavy white beard and shoulders built like stone pillars. “Why have you summoned me at this hour without prior notice, and not to the great hall but your house?”
He ste
