<div class="floatright"><div align="center">(https://i.pinimg.com/564x/46/f8/9d/46f89d7abc090fa3f04becec479fb501.jpg)<br/>Cormag Law</div></div><br/>As Larissa turned back to the castle, Law could be heard barking orders to his soldiers, who set to work making camp. They moved with that peculiar briskness unique to freshly trained soldiers. While every duty had been thoroughly drilled into them, they put<em>too</em>much care into carrying out each task. They had not yet learned to live and breathe the soldier's life, to carry out their duties with the confidence of lifelong practice.<br/><br/>Law did not stay to supervise, however, and entered the main hall with Elaine shortly after Larissa. The grizzled soldier stood at rigid attention until Elaine bade him sit. Even then, he sat with his back ramrod straight. Ease, evidently, was not a state Cormag Law was accustomed to.<br/><br/>At Larissa's question, Law arched an eyebrow, though whether in surprise or offense, it was hard to say. "My employers told me very little," he said, his voice an utterly level baritone. "Which was all the more reason to proceed with caution. Given the attack on House Bedigar"—Elaine shifted uncomfortably in her seat—"it would not have surprised me to encounter the White Tusk. The men I sent to Gravesford to gather local news came back with reports of an orc attack, which only confirmed my suspicions. Hence, I was very surprised when my scouts informed me that Castle Rend seemed empty of orcs, with signs of human habitation."<br/><br/>Cormag gave his beard a contemplative stroke with a calloused hand. "Perhaps the bigger surprise, though," he said, glancing around the room before his gaze settled once more on Larissan and Elaine, "is the apparent lack of bloodshed. The orcs left without a fight, and not long ago by the looks of things. I've never heard of such a thing. How did you manage this?"