The three men sat in Milan's private study, surrounded by maps, documents, and the weight of what had just transpired in the imperial hall. Nobody had anticipated this result or the perilous task they had set for themselves.

Milan was deeply concerned about the mission; he was sure that the Emperor had given Jolthar such an impossible mission deliberately, and to avoid the debate from his ministers, he had set up a stage for Jolthar and he intended for Jolthar to showcase his abilities.

It was sort of a test for Jolthar.

Milan thought that the Emperor seemed to have set his eyes on Jolthar, but the reason he wasn't sure of it.

The fire in the hearth crackled softly, providing warmth against the night's chill, but the atmosphere was anything but comfortable.

Milan had spread out what maps existed of the eastern territories, his finger tracing the route that would take them toward the Dreadland Depths.

"The journey alone will take at least a week, possibly longer depending on conditions. The roads deteriorate the closer you get to the corrupted zones, and eventually there are no roads at all—just wasteland and the beginning of the Depths themselves."

Andrion was pacing, his earlier humor completely gone, replaced by genuine concern for his friend.

"You'll need supplies for an extended expedition—weapons, provisions, protective equipment against the corruption that seeps from that place. I can arrange for the best gear the capital's armories can provide, but even that might not be enough."

"I appreciate it," Jolthar said, studying the maps with focused attention.

"What concerns me more than equipment is navigation. I've never been to the Dreadland Depths. I've fought in the eastern campaigns under General Remin, but we never ventured close to the corrupted zones—our operations were all in the territories adjacent to them."

Milan looked up from the maps, his expression troubled.

"Then you'll need a guide. Someone who knows the region, understands the dangers, and can help you navigate terrain that actively resists comprehension."

"I should come with you," Milan said suddenly, the decision evident in his voice despite the uncertainty in his eyes.

"No," Jolthar replied immediately and firmly.

"Absolutely not."

"Jolthar, you just said you need a guide, and I have connections to military officers who have served in those regions. I could arrange—"

"It's not about connections," Jolthar interrupted, his tone gentle but unyielding.

"Milan, you have your own goals, your own path to move forward. You can't risk that by accompanying me on what everyone believes is a suicide mission. If you come and we both die, everything you've been working toward dies with us. If I die alone, you're still here to continue the work."

"He's right, brother," Andrion said quietly, stopping his pacing.

"As much as I hate to admit it, you're more valuable here in the capital, consolidating support and positioning yourself for the future. Going into the Dreadland Depths serves no strategic purpose for your ambitions."

Milan wasn't accustomed to Andrion showing concern, but he didn't outright dismiss it.

Milan's jaw clenched with frustration, clearly torn between loyalty to his friend and the logic of the argument.

"So what, then? You're just going to walk into one of the most dangerous places in the world without proper guidance or support?"

"I was thinking of asking Wymar," Jolthar said thoughtfully.

"He's a skilled mage; he's served in the eastern territories under General Remin's command, and he's already helped me before. If anyone would be both capable and potentially willing—"

A knock at the study door interrupted the discussion. One of Milan's servants entered, bowing respectfully but showing signs of confusion on his face.

"My lords, forgive the intrusion. There is a woman here to see Lord Jolthar Kaezhlar. She says it's urgent and will only speak with him directly. She insists that she sees Lord Jolthar."

Jolthar exchanged glances with Milan and Andrion. "Did she give a name?"

"Haryn, my lord. She said her name is Haryn."

The name meant nothing to any of them, but Jolthar's instincts were already alert. Someone showing up immediately after his acceptance of the imperial mission wasn't uncommon.

"Show her in," Jolthar said, standing.

The servant bowed and withdrew.

A moment later, the door opened again, and a woman entered who immediately commanded the room's attention.

She appeared to be in her early thirties, with features that were striking rather than conventionally beautiful—sharp cheekbones, intense eyes, and copper-colored hair that seemed to catch the firelight in unusual ways. She moved with the fluid grace of a trained warrior, and her clothing was practical travel gear of exceptional quality. But more than her appearance, it was her presence that was arresting—a mana of barely contained power that made the air around her feel different, charged with potential energy.

Jolthar's eyes narrowed immediately. He had encountered enough supernatural beings to recognize the signs. This woman was not human—or at least, not entirely human. The energy signature radiating from her was too refined, too potent, carrying harmonics that suggested a divine or at minimum semi-divine nature.

She was Haryntha but gave her name as Haryn to not draw suspicions. And mortals couldn't recgonize the deities they had never seen before.

Milan and Andrion clearly sensed something unusual as well, both princes automatically adopting more defensive postures without consciously realizing they were doing so.

Haryntha's gaze swept across the three men before settling on Jolthar with focused intensity. "Baron Jolthar Kaezhlar. I'm glad to finally meet you properly. I have been trying to meet you for a couple of days."

"That's concerning rather than reassuring," Jolthar replied calmly.

"Who are you, and what do you really want?"

"Practical and direct. Good." Haryntha smiled slightly.

"I'm here to help you with your mission to the Dreadland Depths. I have experience with that region and the creatures within it. You need a guide and support—I'm offering both."

"How do you know all of this? What's your identity?"

She smiled and said it. "I'm sure all of the capital is aware of what happened today in the imperial hall."

"Besides, why are you on guard with me? I'm trying to help you."

"Why?" Jolthar asked bluntly.