His eyes moved over their small group with the practiced assessment of someone accustomed to evaluating strangers for potential threat or benefit.

When his gaze settled on Rena and Taeryn, his expression showed polite interest tinged with the skepticism of a man who had seen too many young people arrive at the frontier with romantic notions about warfare and adventure.

"We appreciate your welcome, Harukel," Morgana replied with formal courtesy.

"Our business is with the fortress command, but we're grateful for any hospitality the town can provide."

As they made their way up the winding road that led to Berdhshire's main gates, the true scope of the fortress's defenses became apparent.

Every turn in the path was covered by hidden positions carved into the hillside itself, while enhanced watchtowers provided overlapping fields of observation that made approach impossible without detection.

The fortress gates stood open during daylight hours, but the massive portcullis above bore testimony to the seriousness with which security was maintained.

Soldiers in the black and silver livery of the border guard stood at attention, their weapons gleaming with barely contained energy. These were not ceremonial guards but veteran warriors whose auras blazed with the confident strength of those who had faced the Empire's enemies and emerged victorious.

General Aldric Kaider awaited them in the fortress's main courtyard, his presence commanding attention even among the disciplined soldiers who went about their duties around him.

A man in his prime, he stood well over six feet in height, his powerful frame encased in armor that bore the scars of countless battles. His aura projected outward in a perfect sphere of golden light that extended nearly eight feet in all directions—a display of aura mastery that placed him among the Empire's most formidable warriors.

Though not everybody can see that.

Darian looked at Taeryn, who was watching the General with wide eyes; he lightly tapped his shoulder, telling him to calm down, and he also could see it.

The General's steel-gray eyes held the sharp intelligence of a career military officer who had risen through the ranks based on merit rather than politics. His dark hair, streaked with premature silver, was cropped in the practical style favored by frontline commanders, while his weathered hands bore the calluses of someone who still practiced his swordsmanship daily despite his elevated rank.

"Lady Morgana," he said, his voice carrying the gravelly tone of someone accustomed to shouting orders over the din of battle. The sound was so deep and low-pitched that it made Rena and Taeryn grimace in discomfort.

"It's been... what, three years since the Imperial Conference in the capital?"

"At least," Morgana replied, inclining her head with the respect due to a peer rather than a superior.

"Though I recall our last conversation concerned supply requisitions rather than matters of such... unusual urgency."

Kaider's expression grew serious as his gaze moved over her companions.

When he looked at Darian, there was immediate recognition and professional respect—one warrior acknowledging another.

But when his attention settled on Rena and Taeryn, his skepticism was barely concealed.

"These are the 'Chosen Ones' I've been hearing about?"

His tone carried the dry humor of someone who had seen too many young people arrive at the frontier with inflated opinions of their own importance.

"With respect, Lady Morgana, they look barely old enough to hold weapons, much less face the kind of threats that require the Mother Supreme's personal attention."

Rena felt heat rise in her cheeks at the dismissive assessment, her Origin stirring in response to her emotional state. Silver light began to dance around her fingertips, causing several nearby soldiers to take notice and reach instinctively for their weapons.

Taeryn, meanwhile, found himself struggling with entirely different emotions.

The sight of the fortress, the professional demeanor of the soldiers, and the obvious competence of General Kaider—it all fed into dreams he had harbored since the training of proving himself in glorious combat against the Empire's enemies.

His projected aura flickered with excitement, and he had to consciously prevent himself from grinning like an overenthusiastic recruit.

"I understand your concerns, General," Morgana said diplomatically.

"Perhaps we should discuss the specific nature of our mission in private? I believe you'll find that appearances can be... misleading."

Kaider nodded curtly, his professional instincts overriding personal skepticism. "Of course. I've had quarters prepared for your party. Once you've had time to settle in, we can discuss whatever brings the Silverspire's attention to our corner of the frontier."

As servants led them toward their assigned rooms, Taeryn couldn't contain his excitement any longer. He fell into step beside Darian, his eyes bright with curiosity and anticipation.

"This is incredible," he whispered, trying not to appear too obviously impressed by everything around them.

"Look at the discipline of these soldiers! The precision of their formations! And General Kaider's aura—I've never seen projection that stable and controlled."

Darian smiled at the young man's enthusiasm, remembering his own early days when the romance of military service had seemed so appealing.

"Aye, lad. This is what real soldiers look like when they've been tested by genuine adversity. But remember—we're not here for glory or adventure. Whatever the Mother Supreme has sent us to face, it's serious enough to require intervention from the highest levels of authority."

But Taeryn was barely listening, his attention caught by a squad of soldiers practicing complex formation maneuvers in the courtyard below their windows. His hands itched for his spear, and his imagination filled with visions of himself standing shoulder-to-shoulder with these veterans, facing down whatever dark threats emerged from the lands beyond the eastern peaks.

The weight of responsibility that the Mother Supreme had placed upon their shoulders seemed distant and abstract compared to the immediate, tangible reality of being inside a real military fortress, surrounded by genuine warriors who had dedicated their lives to protecting the Empire from its enemies.

Though, Taeryn was more motivated by the fame after he won those battles.

Meanwhile, Rena had her own reservations; she was staring at the General with anger. She could tell that he was belittling them, as they were just nothing but simple young people with no real battle experience.

She had her own ambitions, which had taken root after she had started practicing, and her thinking had changed a lot since their departure from the village.

While Morgana and Darian were just thinking about keeping them safe.

With such thoughts hanging on everyone's mind, the day had come to rest.