The morning sun had barely crested the horizon when the watchman's voice echoed from the castle gate.
Two knights actually, who watched the castle gate in the night as formal protection. The knights in the barracks rotated to do so, taking shifts throughout the night to ensure that no one approached the castle unseen.
It was a simple system, but it worked. Darion had made sure that the castle was never left unguarded, even when everyone else was asleep.
Darion was in the great hall, a half-eaten piece of bread in his hand, when the guard burst through the door.
"M'lord! The mason is here. With his crew. And wagons. Lots of wagons."
Darion set down the bread and stood. He hadn't expected Ghan to return so soon.
The mason had said within the week, but this was barely two days later. Either he had been eager to start, or he had already had everything prepared and was waiting for the opportunity.
