After the altercation between Egil and Lord Storvium, the feast slowly began to return to its previous rhythm. With the troublemaker gracefully excused by Jarza—and likely tied to a water bucket somewhere—conversation and laughter resumed, flowing again like wine in the goblets. The tent was warm with torchlight and drink, and for a while, it seemed peace had returned, at least for the length of an evening.
With Egil gone, Alpheo turned his attention to Asag, the last of his close circle still upright and lucid. Their conversation, unlike the merry chatter around them, quickly steered toward matters of state—cold, sobering, and ever-pressing.
"So," Asag began as he pulled his chair a bit closer, lowering his voice, "are we to expect any reforms regarding the army? I assume you'll be able to tap into far greater resources now that Herculia is under your banner. The White Army could stand to benefit from a little of that."
