“Warshaper is a ker general, renowned for her role in the Rivermine Heritage War,” Fallem began, his tone slipping into the cadence of a lecture. “She led the offensive at Ironforge Pier in Sattaya. It was the final push that secured victory over the Sattayan and Sumin Armies in 619.”
Yu did not care about any of this. These places, the dates, the people; they were just meaningless echoes of a history that was not his. He had heard some of the names before, of course. Tria had tried to cram them into his head during her brief, misguided attempt to mold him into a scholar — or, failing that, at least a competent trader. But those lessons had ended abruptly after his return from Emery Thurm and Ayenfora.
“While many forces shaped the war,” Fallem continued, undeterred by Yu’s blank stare, “she became famous for her exceptional name. Warshaper. A ker, given an honorary dwarven name. Imagine that.” He let the words hang, watching Yu for a reaction. “To the dismay of certain political factions, she decided to carry it officially and did so ever since.”
Factions. Fallem meant wizards, surely. Yu studied the man, weighing his motives. A wizard, seeking help from a ker who had openly allied herself with dwarves? Wizards and dwarves did not forge alliances. As far as he knew, they barely tolerated each other’s existence. But this was about Fallem’s brother, was it not? Politics took a backseat to blood.
“Maybe you know her as Lorien the Tarnished?” Fallem added, filling the silence that Yu had let stretch too long. “She was with the Crimson Circle but left after taking up a position as Grand General for the King Brothers. She still travels north on occasion, either for private matters or business with the Circle.”
“Is she a founder?” Yu asked, steering the conversation away from politics.
“Second generation,” Fallem replied.
Then she was either powerful or … special, Yu thought. The Crimson Circle was world-renowned as an organisation of elite fighters, adventurers, and treasure seekers.
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