They arrived at the castle around zero seven hundred hours, together with Eiðvörður and his son. After announcing them, the soldiers escorting them turned back at the gates, leaving them to their own devices. Wrapped in their grey, woolen cloaks, they waited for someone to approach, but no one did; the only people present were the four guards.I guess it’s normal. It’s not like we have a written invitation.Minutes passed, and no one arrived. Tetsuo felt like asking for information, but saw that Eiðvörður was calmly waiting.Five more minutes went by, and still no one welcomed them. The old Okkar was keeping his poise, but the same could not be said for his son or some of Tetsuo’s companions. He noticed the restlessness and decided to act.Just then, a smaller door inside the gates opened and a young man in a thick, green uniform and polished leather boots came out to greet them. The boy, a few years younger than Sterkáin, motioned to follow and led them inside. The interior was as spartan as Tetsuo remembered from his “visit” with SO1 Khalid and the master chief; it was strange to think that only a week had passed since then. They walked along corridors illuminated by dozens of those strange luminescent stones set into the walls, and after a few twists and turns, he recognised the route: they were being guided to the main hall.As they walked, they passed by other people dressed just like the boy: some carrying crates and baskets filled with a variety of objects, from bread, to pots, to candles, some leading other guests through the corridors, others lighting up the numerous braziers along the way. After all, the glowing stones provided light, but not warmth.The castle was a beehive of activity.His companions were being very quiet, discreetly keeping an eye out for signs of danger. Tetsuo, too, was feeling exposed without his equipment, but pushed aside the discomfort and observed his surroundings (...)