The Keep had a wooden drawbridge to protect against invaders. The structure was as tall as five men standing shoulder upon shoulder and just as wide. Lord Stormweather insisted upon inspecting every board and nail himself. Feran tried to maintain patience as his father ran his hands along the same wooden panel for the tenth time.

“If there is a fault you would have found it by now, father,” Feran called, craning his neck to shout up to the man. Lord Stormweather sat upon a wooden seat, ...