Chapter 12 - The Frostbite Protocol
Back at Dartmouth Citadel, the autumn winds began to carry the first sharp bite of frost down from the northern peaks. Inside the high council chamber, Rowena stood before the grand window, watching the golden leaves fall across the royal gardens. Her fingers traced the rim of the silver goblet she had once been forced to carry—now repurposed as a symbol of resilience rather than humiliation.
Lord Tristan entered quietly, his heavy boots making barely a sound against the polished floorboards. His face was etched with a grim tension that instantly drew Rowena’s attention.
"Reports from the southern trade routes," Tristan said without preamble, handing her a sealed parchment stamped with the hawk crest of the Windsor scouts. "Three of our supply caravans have vanished entirely without a trace. No bodies, no looted gold. Just melted frost and a strange, sulfurous ash left in the ruts of the wagon wheels."
Rowena broke the wax seal, her golden-flecked eyes scanning the rapid handwriting. "Sulfur and melted frost. That isn't ordinary bandit work. That’s high-tier southern alchemy—corrosive agents designed to disrupt natural energy."
"There's more," Tristan continued, stepping closer. "Our border sentries report unusual seismic disturbances beneath the Blackwood mountain range. It’s as if something massive is draining the geothermal heat from the earth, channeling it southward."
Rowena turned away from the window, her expression hardening into absolute resolve. "They aren't just attacking our supply lines, Tristan. They’re trying to starve the ancient roots of the Solus bloodline. If the ley lines freeze, my wolf's connection to this land will weaken."
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"Then we strike first," Tristan urged, his ice-blue eyes locking onto hers. "We march south before Malakor can consolidate his syndicate. I will lead the vanguard to seal the fissures."
"No," Rowena replied softly, placing a hand gently upon his arm. "Malakor is baiting us into a direct military campaign while he executes a deeper sabotage inside the citadel. We stay vigilant here, but we set a trap of our own."
