Orc Envoy

Paul had written, and Catherine was delighted, but she quickly regained her composure.

Arda was a long way from here, and launching an expedition from there would require a lengthy preparation period.

They could not count on Paul's help anytime soon.

Catherine had to make full use of every force available to her.

"Your Highness, Sir Montrelet requests an audience!"

A guard entered from outside the tent to report.

"Montrelet?"

Catherine searched her memory.

"I'm not familiar with that name..."

She shook her head in distress and turned to Auffina, only to receive a helpless shrug in response.

It was Duke Alanbru who reminded her.

"Your Highness, he is the heir to the Tavares Family."

"The Tavares Family? I know that family. Let him in."

The guard left, and a young man entered shortly afterward.

He was tall and handsome, with long, dark-golden curly hair.

"Your Highness!"

Montrelet knelt on one knee to salute the princess, then greeted the duke beside her.

Duke Alanbru asked, "Montrelet, how many men have you brought?"

The young man raised his head.

"I brought one hundred knights, each highly skilled and extraordinary in combat, along with one thousand strong soldiers. The Tavares Family will use all its strength to defend the kingdom's honor to the death."

His expression was resolute and fearless, showing no sign of pretense.

Catherine was moved by his declaration and nodded at him approvingly.

The other man unconsciously raised his eyebrows.

Auffina said:

"Based on our previous estimates, and including the Bradley Family's army, the enemy forces entering the Black Stone Plain should number between twenty-five and thirty thousand. If we can gather an army of twenty thousand before they arrive, we'll have the strength to fight them."

"Report! Lord Lester has returned!"

A delighted shout came from outside.

Everyone