"They are no longer just squabbling tribes," Aris corrected.
He pointed a gloved finger at the large parchment map spread across the heavy oak table.
"For the past two years, Zarth has been locked in a bloody civil war. But a victor has emerged. A ruthless warlord named Warchief Vorath, known as the Blood-Axe."
Belladonna stopped tossing her hunting knife. She caught it by the hilt and sat up slightly. Her dark eyes narrowed in the flickering candlelight of the war room.
"I have heard of him," she said, her voice dropping a fraction, "He drinks the blood of the chieftains he defeats. Real savage bastard."
"Indeed," Aris nodded gravely, "Vorath is currently subjugating the last of the rival tribes. He is effectively unifying the entire Kingdom of Zarth under one single banner."
"But unity is extremely bloody and expensive. He has promised his new coalition wealth, slaves, and fertile land."
