North of Crystal Lake was known as Rhodes Canyon. It was the only part of Katar that was considered below sea level. It was said that Berilin slumbered in the Canyon before moving on to Crystal Lake to meet with his beloved, Sumitra. The Canyon was home to House Rhodes who lived towards the northeast of the canyon, in Twickenham City. Directly north was their prized possession, Emory Inn. The Inn made most of its revenue from those that wished to visit Crystal Lake. It offered the best hospitable treatment for any who had the coin for it.

Khal had on the western side of the Canyon today. He had journeyed towards Pinetown where Baron Carmona Anthony welcomed Marcus and his entire army. Khal was surprised that Lord Anthony and his grandfather were old friends from back in the academy. While Marcus went on to become one of the strongest men in the north, leading his own army, Lord Anthony became a less court official. It was only a few years since he retired to his father's old position as Baron of Pinetown.

Khal and Alec were the only ones allowed inside the Baron's mansion while the rest of the soldiers made camp outside. Khal found the town mostly empty, which was strange to him. He expected it to be as prosperous as Sydenham town. "Grandpa, why is this town so empty?" He whispered. They were on their horses headed towards the mansion now. Leading them was Sergeant Williams that confronted the Rhodes merchants just a few days ago. There were only a handful of commoners on the road leading up to Lord Anthony. "Majority of the commoners prefer to live next to Crystal Lake. They only visit the town when they need to restock on supplies or when they're here to sell the water."

"Oh, that would explain it then," Khal said as he adjusted his sights towards the road ahead. The town was very similar to Sydenham town. There was a tavern just at the front entrance of the city as well as various shops. There was even a small inn but Khal couldn't see anyone leaving or entering. He was sure that the state of the town was because House Rhodes monopolized everything in the area. There was little Lord Anthony could do against the Great House.

Just at the gates to the mansion, an old, frail man in a grey robe, "We meet again old friend. What brings you to my humble home?" Lord Anthony asked Marcus. Khal was surprised that the man bothered to meet them all the way here. It wasn't often that nobles showed such respect. Well, Baron black never did it. "haha! Carmona, I'm here so you can meet my grandson, Nicole's boy." Khal watched as Lord Anthony's eyes widen in surprise. "Nicole's boy? So, the rumors were true? I heard he's quite the fighter down south. Long live House Dor my good friend!"

Khal gave the man a simple nod before the trio dismounted from the horses. Sergeant Williams whispered into his Lord's ear before taking off somewhere inside. Carmona's frowned before shaking his head. "Are you just going to stand there or are you gona offer us a place to rest our feet?" Marcus joked. "You've been a soldier for so many years already Marcus, surely you can stand for a moment more." Carmona laughed as they all walked on. It didn't take long before a few stable hands took the horses away. Carmona signaled the maids to prepare some tea and a bath as they entered the mansion.

"Carmona, we encountered some of Rhodes men on our way here. Is there anything I can do for you?" Marcus asked. They were already inside a wide room where a large grilled hog laid flat on the table. "Marcus we will have so much time for those petty annoyances. Let's eat and catch up. It's not often us old folks get to spend time with the younger generation after all haha." Carmona patted Khal on the head while speaking, allowing Khal to see the patches of purple dots on his skin.

Noticing Khal staring at his skin, Carmona quickly pulled away as he continued to laugh with Marcus. "Where are you headed? Back to the frontlines or towards Elfheim?" Marcus stared towards the ceiling for a second before he turned around, "Elfheim, Khal hasn't seen his kin yet so duty dictates that he is well received before anything else." Carmona nodded then turned towards Alec, "And when do you plan to introduce me to your wife? I heard you got married four summers ago." Alec adjusted his glasses and smiled awkwardly. "Lynette is fat with child milord. As soon as they are born we will make the journey here." "Hmmm, give her my best then."

The conversation continued well into the night before Khal and Alec retired, leaving Marcus and Carmona to continue without them.

"Carmona, you've stalled enough, what is happening between you and Rhodes?" Marcus asked as soon as he realized that they were alone. Carmona got quiet and looked towards his tea. "It's nothing you can deal with Marcus. Leave it alone." Marcus stared at his old friend. He was always one to avoid confrontation. It was partly why Marcus had to defend him at the academy. "Carmona, whether I can deal with it or not is not the questions. You for one should know how far my hands can reach when the need arose."

Carmona became quiet again, deep in thought. "What do you know about the Raven Council Marcus? Have they reached out to you yet?" Marcus didn't seem to have a reaction. Carmona was half expecting the man to leap out of the chair. "I have heard about them. They tried to turn some of my men against me and failed. Maybe they know better than to persuade me to their side," Marcus shrugged. Carmona stared at Marcus with his famous dumbfounded look. Marcus never was one to do anything orthodox as always.

"Well, they've reached out to almost every noble in Seabo." Carmona passed a small invitation to Marcus, on the back of the card was a raven in flight. Marcus slowly grabbed the card before reading the contents. "And you said no?" he asked. "Of course, I did. But I'm afraid it's the wrong choice I made. cough, cough!" Marcus jumped out of the chair and grabbed the wrist of his friend. He saw the purple dots along his forearm all the way towards his neck. Carmona quickly pulled away and adjusted his robe to hide it. "My dear friend, who did this to you?" Carmona silently pointed to the card next to Marcus.

"They said those who are not of the council were enemies. Only three days after I receive the invitation I found these spots on my hands. I neither know where it came from or who did it but it must be them. An old man like me has lived too long living without making any enemies. Now, I'm poisoned and I have neither a wife nor an heir to comfort me. Cough, cough!" Marcus' eyes darkened. A thick killing intent pulse through the air. "Carmona, how much time do you have?"

"About a week at best." Marcus clenched his fist as electricity charged within. Luckily the table was made of wood else Carmona's frail body would feel the brunt of it. "You can't trust any of your vassals. Who knows which one of them could have poisoned you. No wonder Rhodes was so brazen to try to steal the trading contract you had with the commoners at Crystal Lake. Rest assured old friend, your blood will be repaid in full."

Carmona smiled at Marcus's rage. "You've always been like this Marcus. This Raven Council has most likely infiltrated every noble home in Seabo. There is little you can do to overcome such a force. No matter how strong House Dor is, but I do feel blessed to have a friend like you." It was Marcus's turn to be quiet. "There is one thing I want you to do for me. Although I do not have any heir, Sergeant Williams has been my most trusted friend. See that he isn't killed by the Ravens when I'm gone." Marcus grabbed his friend's hand and nodded confidently, "Be at ease my friend, I promise you that no harm will come to him."

---

Khal spent an entire week in Pinetown. The place was too boring and lonely to motivate him to explore. He decided to spend most of his time trying to clad his horse. He was only able to accomplish it while his horse was standing still but the minute it moved his concentration was broken instantly. It was the same when it came to his cladding. Although he was able to clad now, the slightest movement was too difficult to maintain the cladding.

To make matters worse, he couldn't ask his grandfather for any help since the man spent every day with Lord Anthony. He couldn't see what was so interesting that they needed to talk about. Alec, on the other hand, was missing. Khal wasn't sure whether he went back to the army camp or he was out training somewhere. Regardless though, he was too frustrated with cladded to bother continuing. His wind control was getting better though. It was the only exciting thing that Khal could boast about. Before, his wind element was untamed and scattered. Now, although it was still scattered, at least it got it to flow in one direction. This progress caused his blade to become even faster and sharper.

Khal was brushing his horse at the stables that evening when he heard a shout from the mansion. He was sure it was his grandfather's voice. Usually, the man was so calm and decisive so it was confusing to hear him sound so loudly. Khal decided it was best for him to check and make sure everything was ok. Maybe his grandfather simply hit his toe against a chair or something. He knew that hurt a lot and he found it hard to believe anyone else would think differently.

Khal entered the study room where Marcus and Lord Anthony spent most of their time. Just as he entered he saw most of the servants crowding around. Strange, what is happening? Khal wasn't sure what was going on exactly but he had an idea. He remembered when he saw Carmona's skin that day. If he wasn't mistaken, that was poisoning and one of the worst ones too, Sweet Zenob. Although it was undetectable in food or drinks it was one of the lesser used poisons since it took too long to kill and the victim would have a peaceful death. Who would want something like that? Most people would prefer their victims to die horribly and quickly.

Khal finally pushed through the crowd and made his way towards the front. There, he saw Marcus and Sergeant Williams on the floor, Williams holding Lord Anthony in his arms while electricity coursed through Marcus body as his breath raged on. "Carmona, you fool! You knew all along didn't you!" Marcus screamed as he pounded his fist into the floorboards. Splinters raised from the aftermath as Marcus continued to mourn the death of his friend.

Khal knew it was too dangerous to get the general to stop while he was in such a state. It took Alec's sudden arrival to snap Marcus back to reality. It was too late though. Marcus grabbed Williams by the throat and disappeared from the study room. Khal watched Alec sigh before wind element took him away from the room as well.

Khal was unsure where they all went but it was only after he heard a loud sound that he ran towards the yard. "You spineless scum. How dare you abuse his trust!" Khal watched as his grandfather grabbed Williams' kneecap and rip it off completely. The man's screams of agony were drowned out by the constant buzzing of electricity around him. Alec tried his best to push Marcus off the man but it was ineffective. Marcus just swatted Alec at his stomach with enough force to cause him to stumble backward.

"Milord we need him alive!" Alec shouted. Marcus was far too angry to care what he was saying. He continued to rampage against Williams as the man fought back for his life. No matter how many times he cladded himself, Marcus overcame his cladding with pure strength and rage. "He was a father to you! He even sought your best interest on his last days! You do not deserve the esteem he gave you!"

Khal listened and tried to put the pieces together. It was difficult with all the noise and fighting but he managed to gather the bits together. When he felt like he had enough information, Khal cladded his feet before embedding it with wind element. He rushed towards his grandfather the fastest he could manage. "Grandfather! Stop!" Khal grabbed unto the man's arm with his entire body as he tried to stop him. Alec took this opening to push Williams further back. It was already too late for him to run away anyway.

Marcus stared at Khal then Williams. He forced his himself to contain his rage when he realized who it was on his arm. "This does not concern you Khal, wait for me inside." He forced Khal off his arm as he stepped towards Williams again. This time, Lord Anthony's men were blocking his path to the Sergeant. "I...I knew what I did was wrong but...but no matter how much he cared for me, there was no way I could become Baron after he died. No matter how much we cared for each other. He already lived most of his life. This was the only way I could finally get what I wanted, what I NEEDED! The Raven Council promised me that I would get what I deserved after the deed was done. You can't kill me." Williams panted as he finally said what he needed to say to Marcus.

"You coward, they used you! The Raven Council has nothing to gain from giving this place to you. I doubt they even have that power." Marcus finally said calmly. "You're lucky Carmona asked me to protect you. Consider yourself lucky today!" Marcus quickly vanished just as quickly as he said those words. Khal could hear a horse neighing at the stables before the horse galloped towards the Mansion's gates.

"Well," Alec said finally, "That was scary." He finally approached the group of men surrounding Willaims. None of them had the same vigor they came with when they noticed their Sergeant in danger. Now, they all seem to prefer him dead now but Khal noticed Williams staring into space. Maybe he finally realized how his lust for power had ruined Carmona and himself. Khal couldn't tell.