At the Royal Council Meeting, Henry had assured the king that the knights would act the moment he called.
And call he did.
The trouble with winter was always the prevalence of monsters closer to where people lived as their food ran out towards the mountains and forests. Even dire wolf sightings were more common during the colder months because of the same reason.
While most were able to rest during winter and stay indoors, knights didn't have the luxury while there were such dangerous beasts lurking.
Commander Lothian had called for his knights to join him in culling the eastern forests of Hydrogia until they reached the foothills of the mountains which meant they had pushed the monsters far back enough in order for them to stop being dangerous.