Myrain’s Council of Knights

"You haven't?" Ser Damian asked, a look of genuine confusion and surprise clouding his battle-hardened face.

Craig nodded, a soft, dry chuckle escaping his lips as he rested his back comfortably against the carved wooden headboard.

He raised his right hand, spreading his fingers to count off the unspoken hierarchy of the grand house they served.

"There are seven successors to the Darkstar Ducal Family," Craig explained, his voice calm yet carrying an underlying weight of cold reality.

"And as you well know, I am the seventh—the youngest, the last in line, and until recently, the weakest."

Craig's golden-crimson eyes narrowed slightly as he broke down the sheer disparity in power among his brethren.

"The First and Second Successors are already genuine Sword Grand Masters. They have both been granted prestigious Count titles by the Duke and wield enormous, unshakeable influence across the entire Duchy.