Darion continued deeper into Vrethka. As he walked, he began paying closer attention to his surroundings.
The settlement looked less like an ordinary village and more like a military stronghold. Warriors were everywhere.
Some were carrying weapons or checking their equipment. Others were talking in small groups, discussing matters Darion couldn't quite hear as he passed.
Even the buildings seemed designed around the settlement's military needs. Supplies were stored in organized piles, weapons were kept within easy reach, and guards moved through the streets with the confidence of men accustomed to following orders.
'These people really do live for war.'
From what he could see, fighting wasn't simply something Vrethka's men did when their chief called upon them. It seemed to be a central part of their lives. Most of the men he encountered appeared to be warriors, and even those who weren't actively training or carrying equipment seemed familiar with military life.
