The corner shadows thicken where Kethrak watched before, and now they peel open into his scarred, black-scaled bulk. The chamber lamp holds steady, but the air goes cold around him. Thornton Smith stands between the bed and the door, guandao ready.
Kethrak
Still clutching her, are you? Good. The knot is already set.
His yellow eyes slide past Thornton Smith as if he were a wall. They fix on the Concubine with ugly satisfaction.
The Concubine
He knows. He has always known.
Kethrak
That marriage did not save her. It made her fit for my queen's return.
The last word lands like a curse. The Concubine stiffens, breath catching, while the lamp flame gutters once and recovers.
Thornton Smith
He ignores the guandao.
Kethrak
And you, Thornton Smith, were near enough to be noticed. That is the useful part.
✓ Quest Accepted
Protect the Concubine from Kethrak
✓ Quest Accepted
Expose Kethrak's design