Erik Blood-Tooth stood with his sister Eira at his side.
Seeing his sister's concerned gaze upon him, Erik turned slowly. "You look at me as though I were already defeated, dear Eira," he murmured. "Despite this bitter setback upon the beach, the mountain still stands, and I still sit upon its throne. Tell me, sister, what troubles your heart this night?"
Eira leaned closer. "The survivors who limped back speak of horrors beyond reckoning, my brother..."
