Chapter 48 The Southern Gambit

• The days following Lord Blackthorn’s proposal were tense. Elandor’s rebuilding efforts continued, but the shadow of Lord Dorian Blackthorn’s offer lingered over everything. Ariella spent her time speaking with her advisors, weighing the consequences of entering into an alliance with the southern lord. The kingdom needed resources, and Blackthorn controlled some of the richest land in Elandor. But the price for his help seemed high, and his smooth words felt more like a well-crafted trap.
• Kael was relentless in his mistrust of Blackthorn. As much as Kael respected Ariella’s judgment, he could not shake the feeling that Dorian’s true ambitions were far greater than he let on. Every interaction with the southern lord felt like a dance, a negotiation with no true loyalty behind it.
• Ariella, however, was determined to remain open-minded. She had learned through her journey that alliances often came in unexpected forms. But her heart told her that the decision to ally with Blackthorn would not be an easy one.