#Chapter 178 – Dead Ends

Damon A half dozen hunts, and there was still nothing. No trace of her scent, no villager willing to speak her name in my presence. There were only dead ends and dead Rogues. And still the cowards in this Council hall dared to look at me as if I were the problem. “Report,” I snapped. An elder cleared his throat. His voice wavered thin like an old reed pipe. “Your Majesty, the raids are too costly. Warriors return with wounds but nothing more. Perhaps…” “Perhaps what?” I cut him off, leaning hard across the table. “Perhaps we wait? We hide in these walls while Rogues drag innocents from their beds?” My hand slammed down, rattling inkpots, making one young noble jump. “Every day we do nothing, more of my people bleed. And you dare counsel patience.” The younger Lord rose, face flushed. “We dare counsel sense! You hunt as if grief is your guide, Your Majesty. Entire units thrown into the woods for rumors. This is not a sound strategy, it is an obsession!” Obsession. I str