The next morning arrived with clear skies.
For the first time in days, sunlight touched the stone walls of Yggdrasil.
The city seemed relieved.
Merchants reopened stalls.
Children returned to the streets.
People smiled again.
As if the storm had carried their worries away.
Kai knew better.
The problems hadn't disappeared.
They had merely stopped raining.
---
Kai sat at a table in the palace courtyard.
A plate of breakfast sat before him.
Andre sat opposite.
His own plate was already empty.
Along with most of Kai's.
---
"I was eating that."
Andre shrugged.
"Skill issue."
Before Kai could argue, a messenger hurried into the courtyard.
One look at the man's face told him this wasn't good news.
"Sir Kai."
"What happened?"
"A royal convoy has disappeared."
The humor vanished instantly.
"What?"
The messenger swallowed.
"The convoy never reached its destination."
Andre stood.
"How many?"
"Twenty soldiers."
Neither man spoke for a moment.
Twenty wasn't a small patrol.
It was a properly armed convoy.
People didn't simply lose twenty soldiers.
Not near Yggdrasil.
---
Within minutes, an emergency meeting was underway.
The throne hall filled with officers, council members, and merchants.
Akshay stood at the center of the room.
A map spread across a large table.
Commander Jack stood nearby.
---
"The convoy disappeared here."
Akshay pointed toward a mountain road.
"It should have arrived yesterday."
Jack folded his arms.
"We've already sent search teams."
Several council members nodded.