Kael sat at his desk, his hands resting lightly on the arms of his chair as he gazed out of the study window.
It should have been a moment of peace, but his thoughts were heavy.
The pieces were falling into place, yes, but the storm brewing on the horizon was becoming more real by the day.
War, political intrigue, and the influx of refugees all were converging on his barony.
And then it happened.
The faint noise he had come to recognize as the activation of the NTR System filled his mind.
Kael straightened in his chair as a translucent blue screen materialized before him, the text glowing faintly.
"Congratulations, Kael Vortan," the familiar feminine voice began, smooth and rich with amusement. "Your recent success with Lady Calista has marked another milestone in your journey. The balance of power in your barony and beyond has already begun to shift."