The castle of Blackstone loomed under a moonless sky, its spires sharp as daggers against the stars. Torches burned along the battlements, their flames guttering in the night wind. Within its stone belly, King Varrow sat upon his throne, his hand curled around the wolf’s-head armrest like a predator gripping prey.
The chamber was cold, its walls draped in black banners stitched with silver sigils—the wolf that had become the emblem of Varrow’s reign. Before him knelt a dozen armored men, their helms shaped like snarling beasts. These were no ordinary soldiers. These were the Iron Legion, Varrow’s most feared warriors.
The air seemed to hum with menace as their leader rose, removing his helm. His face was harsh, cut by scars, his eyes as sharp as steel. He was known as General Korrath, th
