The rebellion's first true victory echoed across the lands.
Banners turned. Spies switched sides. Letters flooded into Saelar's new court in Kelvorn.
At nightfall, in the great hall of the Blackkeep, a sealed, black envelope appeared on Saelar's war table—unmarked, but oozing power.
Alicent's expression darkened. Myrcella stood guard with bow ready.
> "No one saw it arrive," Kerrin said. "That's… impossible."
Saelar opened it.
Inside was a single black card with words burned in golden flame:
> "My dearest son.
I see you. I always have.
You've finally stopped crawling in the dirt and started barking.
Now I wonder—how long before you think you can bite?
Let us test your fangs.
—With love,
Mother."
The room went silent.
A pulse of divine pressure echoed from the card, cracking the table before vanishing.
Saelar didn't flinch.
He looked at his allies—his wives, his shadow agents, his generals—and calmly picked up his blades.
> "Then let the world know…
The mongrel has fangs."
End of Volume 1: Shadow of the Slums