Dunmel was often either in high places or standing unnoticed in a corner. Even after an hour or two of talking with the other White Wolves in the same room, there were times when it was hard to remember whether he had been there. Since the incident where an assassin snuck in and attacked Gerald,…

The Drupho Plains, located just an hour’s ride away from Normant, was as barren as a desert. Void of flowing water and soil that was far too compact for cultivating crops, the place was essentially uninhabitable. Ultimately, it became a haven for bandits, making it an area most travelers avoided. Well, that was the case…

Loyal had to wrestle with boredom all day, just as he had yesterday. Since arriving at the castle in Denmoju, he hadn’t seen the Count even once, and Latilda had not met him since then. The only familiar face, Anna, had left for home after receiving a message that her father was unwell. Loyal was…

Dunathan had not met General Jean Seigey yet. Once, Seigey had been the commander of the Royal Knights, but by the time Dunathan had become a knight, Seigey had already retired, and the position of commander had changed hands twice since then. He had served as a staff officer of the Royal Knights even after…

Loyal’s father was a knight of Irophis who had lost a leg in battle. He wasn’t a knight of a prominent family, nor had he accomplished anything extraordinary, but he always delighted in boasting of his heroics in front of his son. Young Loyal memorized all of his father’s fantastic achievements, knowing full well that…

It had happened about a month ago. Master Quain had summoned all the White Wolves. Loyal sensed he would be tasked with something disagreeable. “You all need to pay a visit to Camort.” Quain had spoken abruptly, standing before his office window that caught the sun well. He had been waiting there, hand on his…

Bad news and rumors trickled in one by one. The news that Count Johnstein had killed all the Black Lion Knights who had come to arrest him, and declared that Normant would no longer be safe, and the rumor that Count’s daughter Latilda might have been killed in the process. Dozens had witnessed the carriage…

As morning dawned, Count Johnstein decided to depart early to relieve the burden on the barber, Morton. However, the departure was slightly delayed as they prepared a separate carriage and coachman for Latilda. Only six of the Twelve Thorns escorted the carriage. Although all twelve didn’t always move together, Latilda found it odd that only…

The grand bell tolling in the palace summoned all the royal delegates. Aside from the Kingdom of Camort’s five holidays a month, the council convened daily, with no exception even after a party night. Despite murmurs from the delegates at the sight of Kassel and the rest of the White Wolves present in the council…

A small barbershop, which was never particularly bustling, was unusually crowded. And knights, who clearly didn’t belong there, were guarding the entrance in full armor. Passersby, feeling the discordance of these heavily armed knights in the dead of night, had to take a detour rather than cross the alley where the barbershop was located. Those…