They were intercepted before reaching the settlement's outer boundary.
This time it was not an ambush. Eight Ironmane warriors approached in formal regalia. Their weapons were visible but lowered. Their spacing was symmetrical and deliberate, the posture of a ceremonial escort rather than an attack unit. Vorak walked at their front.
He appeared different here than he had in Vashari's market. In neutral territory he had projected authority. Here, inside Ironmane land, he did not need to project. The confidence was natural. His dark mane had been arranged formally. His armor was lighter than standard combat gear but marked clearly with rank insignia worked into the metal. It had been prepared for a public encounter.
He had known they were coming.
"The Dragon," Vorak said, stopping ten meters from Owen. "And the Auric Pride's daughter. You are persistent."
"You have twenty-two fewer warriors than this morning," Owen replied evenly. "You are also persistent."
