The Hunting...Begins.

Vlad sat still for a moment, his jaw tight, his fingers drumming a slow rhythm on the desk. He reached for a small brass bell on the corner, giving it a sharp ring. The sound cut through the silence, and within moments, the door opened again. Leywin stepped in, his torn cloak replaced with a clean shirt, though his boots still carried traces of forest dirt. He stood tall, his silver eyes steady as he gave a slight nod.

"Sit," Vlad said, his voice low, his hand gesturing to a chair across the desk. His eyes flicked to the door, ensuring it was shut, before locking onto Leywin.

Leywin pulled the chair back, its legs scraping the floor, and sat, his posture relaxed but alert, one hand resting on his knee. "You called for me," he said, his tone even, his head tilting slightly as he waited.