Erend's eyes fixed on King Gulben the moment he entered the throne room. The Elven king sat with his usual imposing presence, his sharp features framed by silvered hair just like Aurdis, his posture regal but not stiff.
Their gazes met. Erend's steady eyes burning with purpose and Gulben's eyes were looking controlled even though a faint frown tugged at his brow as his eyes shifted to the pale stranger at Erend's side.
The king's expression held authority, controlled curiosity, and the smallest thread of unease. But all of it never broke his mask of command.
Just moments before, Gulben had been speaking quietly with one of his advisors. The conversation had circled around the creation of a fusion between Magic power and a metal construct which was a project the king himself envisioned to strengthen their future defenses.
But when his eyes settled on Erend and Aesa, he lifted a hand, cutting his words short.
