Inside the large tent, the air felt heavy. About a hundred high-ranking soldiers stood or sat in neat rows.
Most were captains, and at least five of them were swordmasters, men and women whose skill with the blade made others whisper their names with respect.
In front, four vice-generals sat on sturdy wooden chairs.
Eliza and Vincen were already well-known to everyone.
The other two were new faces, but their calm eyes and straight backs showed they belonged here.
All four had reached the middle stage of swordmaster.
Higher up on a raised platform stood three important men.
Duke Vined D. Zenithara sat in the center, tall and serious.
Next to him was his son, Vivian D. Zenithara.
On the other side sat Duke Kamesh Sant. The soldiers could see the family clearly, Vivian had his father Vined's sharp eyes and straight nose, but his strong jaw and wide forehead came from his mother Elena, which made him look so much like his grandfather, Duke Sant.
