Chapter 281: Episode 281.

The council room was unusually quiet.

A large map covered the centre of the table, its edges held down by several heavy objects. Small wooden markers had been placed across the borders, representing the positions of the patrols and the areas that had suffered the most damage during the human attack.

King Elijah stood with both hands resting against the edge of the table. Across from him, Xanden studied the reports scattered before him.

"How much damage?" Elijah asked.

"Less than we initially expected," Xanden replied, moving one of the markers. "The eastern border suffered the most. Two watchtowers were destroyed, and several of the smaller settlements were affected. Fortunately, most of the inhabitants had already been moved to safer locations."

"And the patrols?"

"Reinforcements have been sent. The western and northern borders are secure for now, but I wouldn’t recommend withdrawing any of the additional guards just yet."

Elijah nodded.

"Keep them there. I don’t want us making the mistake of assuming the humans are finished simply because they’ve retreated."

"I agree."

Xanden picked up another report, scanning through the details before placing it beside the map.

"The damage to the eastern watchtower amd boarder is worse than we thought. We’ll need to rebuild it entirely. I’ve already instructed the men to begin clearing the area."

"Good."

For a moment, neither spoke.

Elijah moved around the table, examining the positions of the border guards. His expression remained stern, his attention fixed on the reports.

Xanden glanced at him. "Have you heard from Torak?"

Elijah didn’t immediately look up. "No."

"He hasn’t returned yet?"

"Not yet."

Xanden frowned slightly.

It had been some time since Torak left. He remembered the conversation clearly. Elijah had asked whether he could send Torak on an errand, and Xanden had agreed without thinking much of it.

He had assumed the matter would be settled within a few days.

"It’s been a while," he remarked.

Elijah moved one of the markers closer to the eastern border. "He has work to do."

"I thought it was a relatively straightforward assignment."

"It is." Elijah straightened. "But there are things that require attention once he gets there. He may need to stay longer than expected."

Xanden looked at him. "How much longer?"

"Perhaps two months."

Xanden’s eyebrows lifted a little. "Two months? It’s been three weeks already."

Elijah gave a small nod, as though there was nothing particularly unusual about it. "Possibly less. It depends on how quickly he settles the matter."

Xanden leaned back slightly, folding his arms. "I see."

He looked down at the map again, but his thoughts had briefly wandered elsewhere.

Torak was not someone who disappeared without communicating. Even when occupied with something important, he usually found a way to send word. It was one of the things Xanden had come to expect from him.

Still, there was no reason to assume something was wrong. Perhaps the assignment really was more complicated than he had been told.

"Did he say anything before leaving?" Xanden asked.

Elijah’s gaze shifted towards him. "About what?"

"Nothing in particular. I was only wondering whether he mentioned how long he expected to be away."

"He knew what was required of him."

Xanden nodded slowly. "All right."

Elijah returned his attention to the reports. "Have the southern patrols been informed about the changes?"

"Yes. They’ll receive the updated instructions before nightfall."

"Good. And I want a full account of every human settlement that participated in the attack. Names, numbers, locations. Everything."

"I’ll see to it."

Xanden gathered the reports into a neat pile. His gaze briefly returned to the map. "Two months," he muttered, almost to himself.

Elijah heard him. "Is there a problem?"

"No." Xanden looked up. "It’s unlike Torak not to send a message after being away longer than we expected."

"He’ll return."

Elijah said it without hesitation.

Xanden studied him for a moment, then gave a small nod. "I’m sure he will."

The king turned away, reaching for another report.

"There’s enough happening here without worrying about an errand that is already being handled."

"Of course." Xanden didn’t argue.

He simply picked up the remaining documents and walked towards the door.

Just before leaving, he glanced back.

Elijah was still standing over the map, studying the borders as though nothing else required his attention.

Xanden paused briefly. Then he left.

The door closed behind him.

Elijah remained where he was.

For several seconds, he stared at the eastern border before moving one of the wooden markers.

Elijah remained where he was. For several seconds, he stared at the eastern border before moving one of the wooden markers.

He waited until the sound of Xanden’s footsteps had disappeared before reaching for the drawer beneath the table.

Inside was a folded document bearing the seal of the Blackfen family. He took it out and placed it beside the map.

The agreement had been made after the human attack.

The Blackfens had offered what the Wolf Realm needed. Their support would strengthen the borders, provide additional warriors where they were needed, and secure an alliance that Elijah had spent considerable time trying to obtain.

It had been a difficult negotiation.

Blackfen had not been interested in promises or future favours. He had wanted something in return, and something specific.

Torak.

Elijah’s eyes rested on the name written in the document.

He remembered the moment Blackfen had made his request. There had been no lengthy explanation, no attempt to disguise what he wanted. He had simply named Torak as his condition.

Elijah had questioned it. He had even considered refusing. But the agreement was too valuable to the kingdom, and Blackfen had made it clear that his offer would not stand without the condition.

Eventually, Elijah had accepted.

He had told himself that Torak was capable of handling himself. That Blackfen was a difficult man, but not one who would be foolish enough to disregard an agreement between two powerful families.

More importantly, Elijah had convinced himself that the arrangement served a greater purpose.

The Wolf Realm had suffered enough losses. Its borders needed protection, and its people needed the assurance that another attack would not leave them vulnerable.

One man in exchange for the security of thousands. It had seemed reasonable when he made the decision.

Elijah folded the document and returned it to the drawer.

He wasn’t particularly troubled by the choice.

His gaze returned to the map.

There were settlements to rebuild, warriors to reposition, and an entire kingdom depending on him to make decisions that others might not have the stomach to make.

He had done what he believed was necessary. And Torak would have to understand that.

Elijah reached for the next report.