The gilded carriage bearing the red falcon crest of the southern alliance clattered to a halt before the boundary stone of the southern gate.
Ten mounted guards in polished silver breastplates rode on either side, their hands resting arrogantly on the pommels of their broadswords.
A pompous diplomatic envoy draped in purple silk stepped down from the carriage step, wrinkling his nose at the dusty frontier roadway.
"Announce the arrival of Lord Chancellor Morlen, official envoy of His Grace, the high southern duke!" the herald bellowed toward the ramparts.
"Let the illegitimate master of this outpost present himself immediately to receive the duke's imperial commands!"
On the gatehouse walkway, General Taren and Hans leaned against the parapet, looking down at the envoy with quiet amusement.
"The southern court sends an embassy of fifteen men to dictate terms to the man who annihilated their vanguard," Taren chuckled under his breath.
