Capítulo 55: Chapter 55: UNRAVELING THE WEB OF AETHELWARIN

David sat through Seraphina's exposition, a rapt student absorbing knowledge his trash novel, "Trials of Valor," had woefully neglected. Her lecture stretched for a seemingly endless half-hour, punctuated by his eager questions and her sharp retorts. Slowly, a map of the unknown territory unfolded before him.

Aethelwarin, the county that cradled them unknowingly, was a tapestry woven from five distinct towns. Each bore a name that resonated with a strange familiarity – Eldoria, Thalorin, Brackenfell, Lumisgrave, and Willowmere. This last one, their current haven, fell under the iron fist, or perhaps the velvet glove, of the elder noble, Maison Le Gor.

A spark ignited in Seraphina's eyes as she recounted the recent relocation of the Fingers. Previously nestled in some hidden den, they'd made a conspicuous move to Blackwood Manor, situated smack dab in Lord Maison's territory.