Meanwhile, a few hours later at Toreno Castle, Hugo and Valen were overseeing the arrival of villagers from the bandit settlement. Almost everyone stopped to thank Hugo and shake his hand as they passed; he greeted them all with a warm smile. Not long after, a subordinate pointed toward the gate.
"Boss."
Hugo turned to look. His face lit up instantly when he saw a passenger carriage approaching, followed by dozens of people from the Knightdom slums. He quickly handed the paperwork he was holding to Valen and sprinted toward the gate. When he reached the carriage, he went straight to the back and pulled aside the curtain. Inside, he found Johana lying on a bed, accompanied by a nun.
"Mama!" Hugo cried out, climbing into the carriage.
"Hugo?" Johana asked, pushing herself up.
Hugo threw his arms around her, holding her tight. Johana returned the hug with a wide smile, her eyes closed in relief. Valen, who had followed Hugo, looked into the carriage and smiled at the sight. When Hugo finally released her, Johana slowly raised her hand. Hugo caught it instantly and pressed it against his cheek.
"Thank you, Hugo, for bringing me here," Johana said softly.
"You don't need to thank me, Mama. Everything is happening just as I saw it. It's because of you that I'm doing what I must, based on my visions," Hugo replied with a smile.
Johana grew quiet. Even though she was blind, she could feel the change in her son. The smile never left her face.
"You really have changed, Hugo. I can feel it. I am so proud of you," Johana said.
"Thank you, Mama. For now, you should rest. It was a long journey from Knightdom," Hugo said.
"Alright. I don't want to get in the way of your work," Johana replied.
"I'll come see you every day. We live here together now," Hugo promised.
"Yes, I understand," Johana said.
"Please take good care of my mother," Hugo told the nun.
"Of course, Lord Hugo. Leave it to me," the nun replied.
"Mama, I'm heading back out. I still have a lot to do," Hugo said as he prepared to leave.
"Alright. Have a good day at work, Hugo," Johana replied.
Hugo kissed his mother's forehead, then stood up and stepped out of the carriage. After jumping down, he noticed a crow perched on Valen's arm. Valen was busy detaching a letter from its leg. Once the bird was sent off again, Valen read the small note. Her face went pale. Hugo stepped closer to read it as well. The message was from one of Cyrill's men, outlining Mariana's vision, the redirection of their main forces to Toreno—which would be docking at Farport—and the triplets' departure for Nortrom. Hugo fell into deep thought as he processed the news.
"So Leon, Lucia, and Livia have gone to Nortrom... they want us to ready the troops at the Toreno border and seal off the western boundary," Hugo muttered.
"Yes. As for our current forces, we have 230 bandits and 2,100 Toreno soldiers. We clearly can't wait for the main army to arrive," Valen said.
"Here's the plan: I'll lead the bandits and 500 Toreno soldiers to the western border and shut it down. You send 1,000 Toreno troops to the Nortrom border," Hugo ordered.
"Wait... you're going to the western border alone?" Valen asked.
"Yes. I need you to stay at the castle. I know that terrain better than you do. Wait for the main army here and send a messenger to Theo in Farport to update him on the situation. I'm sure they're still busy handling everything over there," Hugo answered.
"Alright... but please be careful and stay in touch... however you can," Valen said.
"Of course. Take care of my mother for me," Hugo replied with a wink and a smile.
"You can count on it," Valen replied, smiling back.
Without another word, Hugo turned and shouted for the bandit commanders, directing his troops. Valen watched him, crossing her arms over her chest with a smile.
"Look at him... he really has changed. Just yesterday he looked terrified because of his visions. I'm glad to see this," Valen thought to herself as she watched Hugo busily giving orders to the bandits, who were nodding in agreement.
Then, Valen also turned and headed toward the command center inside the castle fortress to speak with the military commanders.
***
Meanwhile, in Farport, Theo, Gwen, and Lulu were busy coordinating the city's reconstruction, helping the residents, and turning Steelhold into a defensive bastion against a sea-based assault. While standing at the harbor behind Steelhold and directing the placement of warships alongside Captain Nhar Thez, a crow landed on Theo's arm.
He was momentarily startled but then noticed the letter on its leg. He took the note and read it. Theo's face darkened and his eyebrows knit together as he read the same report that had reached Valen and Hugo.
"What is it, Master Theo?" Nhar Thez asked.
"This... according to Lady Mariana's vision, we're going to be attacked. They're coming by sea from the west as well. We need to immediately replace the cannons that were destroyed when we took this fortress," Theo replied.
"Understood. I'll see to it," Nhar Thez said.
"Also, our main force is about to dock; they're already on their way. Please coordinate their placement here, Captain," Theo said.
"We've made the right moves. By making this fortress functional again, nothing will be able to break through with the strength we have," Nhar Thez replied.
"Exactly, Captain. Alright, I'm heading back to Farport for a moment. I need to talk to Lulu and Gwen," Theo said.
"Very well. Leave everything here to me," Nhar Thez replied, saluting with his arms crossed over his chest.
Theo turned and boarded a small boat, rowed by two crewmen from the Demon tribe, to head back toward the Farport city docks. When he reached the pier, Theo hopped up and walked into the city, leaving the harbor behind. Over at the refugee tents, Gwen was busy helping the residents prepare food for those who had lost their homes.
"Gwen," Theo called out.
Gwen, who was stirring a pot of soup, turned to see Theo approaching. Noticing his grim expression, she knew something was wrong. Without a word, Theo handed her the letter. Gwen took it and read; her face grew solemn as she processed Mariana's vision. Her expression shifted completely when she reached the part about Leon, Lucia, and Livia heading for Nortrom. She looked up at Theo.
"All three of them went to Nortrom at once?" Gwen asked.
"Looks like it. Lady Mariana's vision says the enemy is coming through Nortrom, so it makes sense they'd focus their attention there. The main force and Lady Mariana herself are heading here by sea. They should arrive by this evening," Theo answered.
"I see. Should we notify Hugo and Valen at Toreno Castle?" Gwen asked.
"I think so... by the way, where's Lulu?" Theo asked, looking around.
"She's out. A soldier mentioned a messenger just arrived from Toreno Castle," Gwen replied.
Suddenly, they both turned to see Lulu entering the tent and walking toward them.
"Who was it, Lulu?" Theo asked.
"A messenger from Valen. He says Hugo is heading to the western border with the bandits and Toreno troops to seal the pass. Valen has also sent 1,000 soldiers to the Nortrom border to dig in. He wants us to be ready to receive the main force when they arrive," Lulu answered.
"So they received the letter too," Gwen said, handing the note to Lulu.
Lulu read it, her expression hardening just as Theo and Gwen's had.
"So the triplets are in Nortrom... Dustin is taking a prisoner to the Nortrom castle... but what about the high-value prisoner we have here in Steelhold?" Lulu asked.
"We'll coordinate with Lady Mariana once she arrives," Theo replied.
"Should we check on him? Leon's orders were to withhold food for two days, only giving him water," Gwen reminded them.
"Yeah, we should probably check in," Theo agreed.
"Right. Leave it to me. Just a quick check-up won't hurt," Lulu said.
"You sure, Lulu? Do you want to take some men or have me go with you?" Theo asked.
"Relax, I can handle myself. Besides, what's a starving prisoner going to do?" Lulu replied.
"Fair enough. Let's head out together; I need to get back to Steelport anyway," Theo said.
"Got it. I'm borrowing your fiancé for a bit, Gwen," Lulu teased.
"Sure, just make sure to bring him back," Gwen joked, continuing to stir the soup.
With that, Theo and Lulu left the tent to return to Steelport, preparing for the arrival of the main army and to check on Bruno in the dungeons.