The War Report Meeting After the Blood Moon Set

Late in the Blood Moon Season, the red moon's glow began to fade from the sky and slowly recede from the earth. Its oppressive weight was finally easing.

Clatter, clatter, clatter—

A Riftmist Banner embroidered with the Blackpine crest emerged from the fog. A company of Mobile Knights followed it straight toward the Blackpine Fief.

None of the knights spoke. They simply rode in formation.

The smells clinging to them mingled together: sour sweat, lamp oil, and medicine.

They had spent the Blood Moon Season fighting alongside Shien in support of territories across the region. Their strength was nearly spent, and dozens had been left beneath the Blood Moon forever. Yet they had followed their great lord without a word of complaint.

The guards atop Blackpine's city gate soon spotted the returning company. They hurriedly formed ranks and opened the gates.

Standing in orderly lines on either side, the guards saluted and said respectfully, "Lord Shien, knights of the mobile force, thank you for your efforts. Please enter."

The knights entered in their assigned groups. The whole company flowed through the gate like a straight line, every movement orderly.

Only after the last knight had entered did Shien speak. "The mobile force will hand over its wounded and equipment. Everyone will rest according to the rotation schedule."

He paused, then softened his tone. "You've worked hard. Get some rest when it's your turn. The Blood Moon Season is almost over. You've done more for the Graymist Defense Zone than anyone."

At his command, the knights quickly dispersed. The wounded went to the medical tents, damaged equipment went to the Workshop for repairs, and even the horses had a designated place to recover.

Shien, however, did not rest. He turned to the recorder accompanying him and ordered him to assemble the