The deep silence inside the grand council hall lasted for several long, suffocating breaths.
No one spoke.
No one even dared to shift their feet against the polished stone floor.
Cassian remained seated on his high throne of black stone, his pale fingers resting lightly against the intricate dragon carvings on the armrest. His intense golden eyes swept slowly across every face in the room before coming to a rest on General Rowan.
"Continue your report, Rowan," Cassian commanded softly.
General Rowan lowered his head in a formal bow. "Our forward scouts confirmed it just an hour ago, sire. The Silver Leopard army is no longer maintaining their idle camp in the valley."
"They have broken their position," Rowan clarified, his voice growing grave. "The entire Silver Leopard host began moving forward before the first light of sunrise. Their marching pace is significantly faster than it was during their initial approach through the southern territory."
