The Duke's banquet hall was a testament to defiant opulence in the face of frontier hardship. Despite Northwatch's remote location and its proximity to the Eternal Rift, the chamber gleamed with polished stone and ornate tapestries depicting the city's founding. Crystal chandeliers cast warm light over a long table laden with steaming platters of food—roasted meats, fresh vegetables, and pastries that looked impossibly delicate for a northern outpost.
Klaus entered alongside Alexandra, both dressed in the formal White Lion uniforms they had packed for official communications. Commander Leone and his officers followed, with Juron and the rest of Team 55 arranged strategically throughout the gathering. Their positioning wasn't accidental—Klaus had instructed them to maintain lines of sight with one another at all times.
