From the large balcony of his private office Carl Ribeck can see the whole town, still bustling with activity at dusk, the docks, full of ships of all dimensions and shape, and the setting Sun, far across the drifting waves.

Kingsfort is silent these days. The realtive quiet of the main fort of the town is caused mainly by the scarcity of men: most soldiers are on duty in the town's slums, or sent to patrol some gods-forsaken outpost in the middle of the Plains. At the entrance of the fort, a lonesome rider arrives. The sentinels, after quickly examining his documents, shout so that the sturdy iron gate may be lifted. In the castle's courtyard, the messenger leaves his message to a sergeant, and rides away towards the city.

The officer opens Carl's door without even knocking. He looks quite out of breath, as if he had just ran up all the stairs leading from the courtyard to the Commander's office. Still panting, the sergeant salutes, and speaks: "Sir, a dispatch just arrived. It is marked as extremely urgent."

Carl looks at the sergeant from the balcony, as he stepped back inside and took the parchment, sealed by blood red wax, with the imperial eagle impressed on it.

"To Herr Carl Ribeck, Commander in Chief of the Imperial Army in King's Stone and its territory." It was from Governor General Franz Werehneil. Carl started reading the contents of the letter as he moved around in his office. After he finished reading the expression on his face changed as he stopped and looked at the sergeant, who seemed better now. "This is serious business. Go to Captain Weber's office and tell him to come to me without delay." Said Carl with a serious tone. "Yes Sir! Right away!" Said the sergeant as he saluted and left Carl's office going to bring Captain Weber.