Clang! The doors of the Council Hall were forced open, and the cold wind outside rushed into the warm room, immediately drawing the attention of everyone inside.
An old mage stood outside, rambling at the guards. "Did you see that? That was magic. I told you I was the Grand Marshal's mage adviser. Surely you believe me now."
It was Khadgar outside, and all the senior officers present recognized him. General Ireland immediately asked, "Master Khadgar, what brings you here?"
Only when he heard General Ireland's question did Khadgar realize what he had just done: he had smashed open the meeting room's doors. Somewhat embarrassed, he replied, "Ireland, well... I'm very sorry for being so rude. Right, I have urgent military business. These are orders the Grand Marshal sent me to deliver."
Khadgar hurried forward, took the scroll from inside his robes, and handed it to Ireland. Puzzled, Ireland opened it without concerning himself with the others still in the hall. His expression stiffened, and a flicker of surprise flashed through his eyes, followed by doubt, then panic and a barely perceptible tremor.
But in the next instant, he regained his usual stern composure. He paused, then addressed everyone. "All right, that concludes today's meeting. General Vannes, please stay behind. I have something to discuss with you."
Ireland's expression and subsequent behavior puzzled everyone present, but Allen did not let his imagination run wild. Instead, he decided to seek out Khadgar. That fellow certainly knew what had happened.
The meeting ended hastily, and most of those present left full of questions. Allen hurried after Khadgar as he left. "Khadgar, what exactly happened?"
Khadgar looked back, and his expression relaxed when he saw Allen. "Oh, it's you, Allen. Today has been dreadful. Not only did these old bones have to rush