Grum'Thal gazed one last time at the joyful celebration outside. Then, he turned. A steely glint entered his eyes as he stomped his way to the door.
Adam heard his solemn command to the warriors. "Stealthily warn Grakka and gather a squad. No matter what you feel, no matter what you hear, no one is to step into the War Council. Barricade the fortress. Tell her to take Adam away before the other warriors catch him if anything were to happen to me."
"But—"
A guard tried to contest, only to be shut down by Grum'Thal's resigned voice. The shamanic tone was gone. It echoed in the corridor more like a father's plea asking for their children's understanding than a command. "Remember, don't let even Grakka enter."
Adam saw the guards give slow, solemn nods before Grum'Thal closed the door. Two rushed sets of footsteps drummed outside.
Then, deadly silence, only broken by Grum'Thal's march toward the table.
He sat with a firm nod directed at Adam and Lulu. "What do you need?"
