Arthur hadn't seen much of Elliott lately. Not since Beatrice had started calling him "big brother" while also sharing his bed. The knight-captain's jaw was clenched, his hand resting on his sword hilt with white knuckles.
"Sit," Arthur commanded, taking his place at the table's head. His supernatural senses picked up everyone's emotional state—excitement from most, anxiety from Elliott, and something else... He filed it away for later. "Hawklight, brief them."
The commander stood, manipulating Arthur's projected map with practiced ease. "Bloodfang Stronghold. Three hundred defenders, mostly green warriors. Their chieftain took his veterans south for a succession challenge. We have a seventy-two hour window."
The 3D projection zoomed in, showing the mountain fortress in detail. Arthur's enhanced reconnaissance had captured everything—guard positions, structural weaknesses, even the kitchen schedules.
