Red Dragon's Keep

Thomas sat in the chair across the desk from the seneschal. The desk was covered with neat stacks of paper waiting for Gregory’s attention. Gregory took out his pipe and slowly filled it, then set a match to light it. Fragrant smoke curled lazily to the ceiling and spread along the dark wooden beams there.

“Your father and mother, as well as your Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Anne, were called to the capital because the Ciardha - the Dark - and its minion Demons, have risen in the south and west. The Reaches have been breached in too many places to name. Fasach is fighting for its very existence and Fearmhar has been attacked. I am very concerned with the attacks on your cousin's caravan. We must hurry with setting defenses in place. Have you talked to Captain Mathin about them?”

“Yes,” Thomas responded. “We’ve been discussing how to feed and shelter all of the Steaders, holders, freemen, and their families coming to Red Dragon’s Keep.”

“It’s not just that, Lord Thomas. We need a strategy to kill the Demons. I’ve read through every record I’ve had time for and can’t find anything that explains what these monsters are doing or why, what works to drive them away or to kill them. We need to send out scouts and try to find some pattern. We need someone to read more of the old records to see if anything can be found to help us. You, Owen and Breanna, and possibly Cameron and Evan, can help with that. I’ll have the records moved to the Solar, if that’s agreeable?”

“Of course,” Thomas said faintly.