"I am not strong enough to go against Drakthar…"
Kael tried to explain, but—
"Outsiders strong but still using tricks,"
Gruumak interrupted, his deep voice echoing off the stone walls.
"Something stopping outsiders.
That something… Flying Man.
So Stonefang follow Flying Man."
And as the Stonefang Chief's words echoed through the space, silence followed afterward.
The only sound that could be heard was of the wind howling faintly through the frozen vale, carrying specks of snow that drifted between them.
The weight of Gruumak's words pressed down on all four men like a mountain.
Even Zakaar, who stood tall and steady behind his chief, felt the air grow heavy. He had followed Gruumak for years, seen him lead warriors through wars, through hunger and death—and never once did he doubt his chief's words.
