There was a wind of tension that passed over the little crowd gathered on the ritual ground.
The representatives of each pack were arranged in formations, with King Hati standing in the center a few feet away from the ritual fire and Monrel.
His eyes focused on the group that had interrupted the ritual.
"Stand back, soldiers," he whispered very lowly in a snarl, and the Royal Soldiers moved apart, immediately giving way to the intruders.
After a few seconds, the riders trotted forward, then dismounted swiftly and remained in position as they moved close enough to the ritual front.
The horses turned around, galloping away in an organized manner. Only when the sounds of the hooves had become distant did someone step forward.
Dracko.
He had his eyes intently fixed on King Hati, as did the first few lines of the formation behind him. Similar emotions were passing through them all.
For ten good years!
