On the third day after Luo Jiuge escaped, a letter from the Northlands border arrived in Holy White City.
Afternoon light passed through the hall's high windows and fell between two rows of stone pillars. Pale patches of light shone on the floor, but the throne remained hidden at the top of the steps, only the gold patterns on its armrests occasionally reflecting a cold gleam.
The hall doors were shut, and an attendant stood below the steps with his head bowed. Incense burned in a brazier, its smoke rising slowly, unable to mask the chill seeping between the stone walls.
Augustine sat on the throne, the newly opened letter spread before him.
The report from the border was detailed, covering everything from the mine collapse and the prisoner's escape to the obstruction of Vivienne's pursuit. He turned through it page by page until, at the end, his gaze stopped on two lines.
Vivienne had lost her left arm.
Luo Jiuge had been carried away by a Frostwing Griffin. Her whereabouts were unknown.
He pressed his right hand against the letter, his thumb braced against the corner of the page, his knuckles gradually tightening.
The attendant had been about to step forward to refill his tea, but retreated beside a pillar at the sight. Only the occasional faint crackle of the brazier broke the silence. After a while, Augustine gathered the pages in his hand with some irritation.
In that oppressive moment, the sound of a door opening came from below the steps.
A young knight entered the hall.
She wore the standard armor of the White Owl Iron Guard, but her shoulder still lacked the officially awarded insignia. Her long, light-colored hair was tied behind her head and slid over her pauldron as she bowed.
"Mace, answering your summons."