Jaegar's patience

Bizarrely contradictory accounts sprouted like weeds, each more grandly embellished than the last—of how he had swept through entire battalions in searing firestorms of magic. With the actual events so steeped in the arcane, only those who had directly witnessed them could attest to the raw, visceral truth.

But whether that truth was taken at face value or reshaped into hyperbole, one stark reality remained: Jaegar had displayed a mastery over mystical forces on a level none present could truly fathom. Such might inspired as much terror as awe, and with terror came the seeds of reverent worship blossoming from pragmatic men simply grateful to be alive under his banner.

Within the central command pavilion, Kyra and the rest of Wrescia's nobles began the intricate process of consolidating their hard-won victory.

Prince Tavorn and Minister Kimon were deep in a hushed council, clearly still rattled by the day's events.