Chapter 517: The Marshal’s Dilemma.
A man wearing silvery armor stood in the muted glow of a flickering lantern inside his field tent, surrounded by maps, tactical scrolls, and half-empty water goblets. Outside, dawn was breaking, casting an ashen light across the misty, dew-soaked landscape. The faint, rhythmic clinking of armor and murmurs of the camp beginning to stir reached his ears, but the atmosphere was hushed inside his tent.
A rustle at the entrance caught his attention. He turned, eyebrows raised, as one of his knights entered, bowing slightly. It was one of his knight commanders, still in full armor, bearing the signs of urgency. His helmet was tucked under one arm, and beads of sweat glistened on his brow despite the cool morning.
"Lord Marshal."
The knight said, his voice low and grim.
"Urgent news. Count Graham De Vere seeks to speak with you through the crystal. He was… insistent."
Wentworth Arden’s gaze hardened. The Count’s sudden attempt to contact him could only mean one thing: De Vere had heard of his son’s absence. He’d anticipated it might happen, but not so quickly.
"Did he say anything further?"
Wentworth asked, his voice as cold as iron.
“No, my lord. Only that he demanded your presence at once and that the matter concerned Lady Lucille.”