Astrid followed Raiden into the great hall, stomach twisting with nerves. The other recruits stood at the end of the hall, next to the empty throne. All were pale and solemn, but looked up at Astrid approached. Kallen gave her a weak smile and Nirvana nodded once in greeting. The dwarf—Coran, she remembered—saluted as she fell into line beside him. "Ye've done well so far, lassie," he told her. "Heard about the wolf. Musta been quite the adventure."
Astrid rubbed her bandaged arms absentmindedly. "Likewise," she said. "I heard you won your battle-axe from a dragon when you were a child. Is that true?"
"Aye," he said. "I'll tell ye about it at the celebration dinner tonight."
"Deal," she said, fixing her gaze on the door behind the throne. It was massive, made of steel and magic. Violet
