At dawn, dew that had gathered overnight rolled from the olive leaves. Startled birds burst from the woods with a rustle, while the sound of hooves drew nearer. On the main road near Gray Pine Castle in Magitan, a gray-cloaked knight could be seen galloping toward it from afar.
The castle lowered its drawbridge and raised the gate. The knight charged straight through, then dismounted, too hurried to care about his sweat. He casually handed his horse to a guard, removed his cloak, and hurried up the tower stairs, where he handed a letter to the clerk seated there. After verifying that the seal was genuine, the clerk's expression changed. He reached out and tugged the bell rope, then stood and hurried through the door behind him.
The urgent dispatch was passed between the towers and soon reached the hands of the inner palace attendants. Led by two ladies-in-waiting, the servants knocked on the heavy wooden door of Lothagall Palace in Gray Pine Castle.
Several people inside stopped talking and turned toward them in unison.
"Is it news from Lantorilan?" Antitina asked, her expression turning solemn when she saw the blue ribbon around the cylindrical dispatch on the attendant's tray.
"Yes, Lady Antitina. Your Highness, it's an urgent message from Lantorilan."
Freya glanced at Princess Griffine. The Half-Elf girl's face held a hint of unease, and only then did she descend the steps and accept the tray.
After Leven Oneson returned to Xifah, the unification of north and south had effectively been placed on the agenda. However, the southern nobles still harbored doubts. Many had successively declared that they hoped to establish communication with the royal family before the Ambersell peace talks.
Although Bai Jia remained wary of the matter—Jandernel was too close to Golan-Elson, and heretical activity in that