The march ended with the thunder of boots against stone.
Fort Karion rose like a beast carved into the cliffs — black walls layered three times over, watchtowers glowing with fire, the banner of the Blackwood Union whipping against the wind. Soldiers stood in formation along the battlements, their cheers rolling down like waves as Daniel's column approached.
But the air wasn't pure celebration. It was tension.
The BAM warriors sneered at the fort's discipline. The soldiers sneered back at the BAM's rough swagger. Even as horns welcomed them, Daniel felt the invisible blade in the air.
---
Inside the great courtyard.
The fort commander stepped forward, saluting.
"By order of the Union throne, Fort Karion is now under joint command of Commander Daniel Blackwood and BAM General Soren Vask."
The words dropped like a hammer.
Joint command.
Daniel's chest tightened. He could feel the eyes of both armies snapping to him and Soren, waiting for the first crack.
---
Soren spoke first.
"Fort Karion is not a parade ground. The enemy is near, and they will not wait for you to finish polishing your boots. BAM will take the front walls. Soldiers will support from the towers."
Murmurs broke out. Soldiers bristled. Daniel's men clenched fists.
Daniel stepped forward, voice iron, but respectful.
"With due respect, General Vask… my men are trained for the towers, yes. But they are also trained for walls. If BAM takes front, then my soldiers should flank from the gates. We don't fight to prove strength. We fight to crush the enemy."
The courtyard went silent.
Even Soren's sharp eyes paused on him.
For a moment, it looked like the clash would break here, now.
But then, from the shadows of the fort's inner gate, a cloaked figure shifted.
The disguised Chris Blackwood, still wearing the mask of a nameless soldier, watched every move, every word. His eyes burned not with anger… but with judgment.
The throne was measuring them.
Both of them.
---
Night at Karion.
The fort fires burned high. BAM men drank and boasted. Soldiers sharpened blades, muttering. The walls of Karion trembled not with enemy siege engines, but with the weight of divided pride.
Daniel knew the truth:
Tomorrow, before a single enemy arrow fell, either unity would be forged…
Or Karion would collapse from within.