The men cheered and clapped, clanging metal cups together, and firelight danced in the squares in celebration of the mad night's strike. Soldiers gathered around Ser John the Beast, applauding him and chanting his name, while he stood among them, breathing the heavy air with a victor's elation. He smiled the smile of a wolf who had tasted blood.

  As the celebration peaked, Trevor approached with quiet steps, the ranks of soldiers parting to let him pass.

  Trevor (raising his hand in a silent greeting):

  "Well done, Ser John... you did as I expected."

  John bowed his head respectfully, then left the crowd and headed towards a corner of the castle, where his commander, Ser Declan Horse, awaited.

  [The Upper Guard Post – At the Inner Castle Gate]

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  Trevor stood beside Declan, looking from the balcony towards the distant camp where plumes of smoke still rose.

  Trevor (in a low, decisive voice):

  "Double the guard tonight, Declan... never let your vigilance waver.

  What happened tonight is not a victory... but a step."

  Declan (bowing):

  "As you command, my Lord."

  Silence reigned for a moment, before Trevor spoke again, this time with a hint of underlying concern in his voice:

  Trevor:

  "Any news of Lucas?"

  Declan:

  "The latest is as you heard, my Lord... his army is a matter of days' march, perhaps less."

  Trevor nodded without replying, then turned his back and left silently, his footsteps lost in the echoes of the corridors.

  [Parallel Scene – The Enemy Camp – The Last Hours of the Night]

  Chaos filled the place. Soldiers were re-erecting tents, commanders were reviewing their losses, and fear was evident in their eyes. The rampaging oxen had been brought under control with difficulty, and the supply stores were now burning rubble.

  Inside his partially burnt tent, Vagnar sat grimly, staring at the skull lying before him, as if it were speaking. The fingers of his hand tapped on the table with a heavy rhythm.

  Silence hung over the commanders around him, waiting for what he would say.