The steward entered the study, bowing quickly. "Master Lian," he reported, his voice carefully neutral despite the distant sounds of screams faintly audible even through the thick stone walls. "Unfortunately due to the absence of any mage, I had to dispatch an encrypted report via courier hawk to the Noble House detailing the situation in Oakhaven."
Kaito nodded curtly. "Good. That is sufficient." Excellent, he thought inwardly. An official report, sent through proper channels, documenting the attack and his position here. It covers his inaction perfectly. He is merely observing and reporting as instructed by the Noble House Minister, awaiting his military escort. No deviation from my assigned role. This bureaucratic necessity provided the perfect shield, allowing the book's tragic script to play out without implicating him in negligence.
The steward hesitated. "Also, Master Lian... the guards on the north wall report engaging the small group of Goblins mentioned by your... observers. They say the defense runes flared, and the guards dispatched them easily with crossbow fire. No threat to the Hold."
"As expected," Kaito replied coolly. "Maintain the defensive posture. Double the watch." He waved the steward away, turning his full attention back to the crystal feeds from Oakhaven. The minor distraction at his own gates was irrelevant. The main event was unfolding exactly where it should be. Now, all he needed was for the hero to arrive on cue.