The aftermath of Syris's confrontation in the library completely solidified the bizarre, suffocatingly delicate new reality within the Iron-Wood Manor.
Whatever the Snake King had relayed to the other Warlords after he left Roxy sobbing among the frost roses, it had worked flawlessly. The Alpha Kings were now absolutely terrified of breaking her.
They completely stopped mentioning the Demon King in her presence. The massive, heavily armored Vanguard generals began walking on eggshells, their heavy combat boots deliberately softened as they moved through the halls.
Zarek practically whispered when he was indoors to avoid startling her. Kaelen completely hid his tactical maps, and Torian constantly brought her armfuls of soft terrestrial fabrics and sweet fruits from the Southern markets.
They were treating their Matriarch like a fragile, traumatized piece of glass that would completely shatter if exposed to the harsh reality of their impending war.
