Upon hearing the urgent announcement that the Hero of Darkness had arrived in the capital and was currently somewhere within or near the castle grounds, there were multiple distinct reactions rippling through the assembled Heroes of Kastoria.
Shock and surprise came first, naturally—the sudden appearance of someone they hadn't seen in two years, arriving without warning or advance notice at this politically volatile moment.
But closely following that initial surprise came other, darker emotions that had been simmering beneath the surface for those two long years.
Bitterness. Resentment. Barely suppressed anger.
They couldn't forget the profound humiliation of that encounter two years ago when Nathan had arrived on his golden dragon and systematically, effortlessly defeated their entire group. They'd been so certain of their growing strength, so confident in their abilities as divinely summoned Heroes.
And he'd torn through them like they were children playing at war.
