Khao'khen returned from the Arch on the second afternoon. He came with Kael and Vor'gath and left Arka'garr in command of the garrison, which now included forty highland warriors and twelve Yurakk on rotating watch. He came directly to Sakh'arran's office, where Brekka Hammerfall was reviewing the trade agreement's appendices with Durrek.
He greeted her with the directness that he gave every person he considered worth treating seriously: direct eye contact, the orcish acknowledgment bow at the depth that indicated a counterpart rather than a subordinate, no preamble.
"Minister Hammerfall. I am Khao'khen." He sat at the office table. "Tell me about the mining teams."
