The Elstrand manor stood silent in the pale light of dawn, its gates battered, its defenders broken.
Smoke curled from the remnants of hastily erected barricades, and the stench of blood and sweat lingered in the air.
Kael sat astride his black warhorse at the edge of the battlefield, his sword sheathed but his expression grim.
The fighting had ended hours ago, and the field was now littered with the dead and dying a stark testament to the price of pride and war.
Gerald approached on horseback, his armor splattered with blood but his posture as disciplined as ever. "The manor has surrendered, my lord. Their remaining soldiers have laid down their arms."
Kael nodded, his gaze fixed on the manor's broken gates. "And the Elstrand family?"
"They are inside, under guard," Gerald replied. "Baron Alric, his sons, and Lady Serina. Lenora is with them."