He turned immediately to help Eris down, his hands lingering on her waist for an extra second to ensure she was steady on her feet.
"Clear a path to the royal chambers!" Soren barked, his voice booming across the courtyard, instantly taking command.
"Get the healers ready for the wounded. Ryse, oversee the distribution of the meat and dismiss the men to the barracks. Someone tell me what happened while we were gone! Why is the city on high alert?"
Aldric approached, his boots clicking rapidly against the cobblestones. He bowed quickly, too quickly, and didn't wait for the formal greeting. His gaze flickered to Eris, then back to Soren, his eyes shadowed with a profound, grim weight.
"Your Majesty," Aldric began, his voice thin and strained. "The gods be praised you are back. I was starting to worry if a search party would be sent out."
Soren's eyes narrowed. "What incident, Aldric? Speak plainly. Have the borders been breached? Is it the South?"
