The last thing Rattan saw before the world twisted around him was the silent, watchful form of the ogre, seated on his throne.
At the same time, the Ogre King spoke to the open air, his voice calm and steady.
"Prepare the dining hall. We will soon have visitors."
He sat in silence, eyes closed, letting his thoughts churn. His mind circled back to Rattan—a young goblin, still a student, but unlike any he had seen in years. Talented, yes, but more importantly, compassionate. That was rare. And in the role he was meant to play, it was exactly the trait that mattered most.
That compassion, that stubborn need to do the right thing—that was what made Rattan perfect. He could influence, guide, and shift things from the inside. And the fact he was still a student? That only made it better. It placed him in a position that could sway the young, the curious, the undecided. A subtle power, but one that could stretch far.
