"According to our scout's intelligence, Varik's forces have been spotted massing here," she murmured, tapping a calloused fingertip against a cluster of markings on the map. "If we're to have any hope of stopping him before he grows too powerful, we'll need to strike quickly and decisively."

Damien nodded, his expression grim. "Agreed. A swift, surgical strike to cripple his ranks before they can coalesce into an unstoppable force."

Seraphina arched a skeptical brow. "You're putting an awful lot of faith in the word of that rogue turncoat," she said, a hint of doubt lacing her tone. "How can we be certain his information is accurate, or that he isn't...