As the new goblins integrate into our forces, I can feel the fourth slot solidify. Like an expansion in my consciousness, like a new room appearing in a mental house I've been exploring. The sensation is distinct and unmistakable, my fourth slot has fully opened.

  Something wrong, master?" Gorthal asks, noticing my sudden stillness as we observe the training exercises.

  "Not wrong," I murmur, exploring this new capacity within myself. "Something right. The fourth bond slot has opened."

  Both Gorthal and the nearby Morrigan turn to stare at me with newfound interest. Through our connections, I feel their surprise and excitement—each understanding the significance of this development.

  "So many followers," Morrigan croaks, her beady eyes gleaming with intelligence. "Network grows powerful. Fourth bond will accelerate everything."

  She's right. Each bonded lieutenant multiplies my army's effectiveness exponentially, not just by adding their own strength but by creating new channels for my power to flow through to their subordinates. A fourth bond means another entire hierarchy of monsters under my control.

  "What creature will master choose?" Gorthal asks, his ritual scars pulsing with curiosity.

  It's a critical decision. My first three bonds form a strong foundation—Nerk provides leadership for our goblin forces and frontline combat capability, Gorthal commands our orc contingent with his blood magic, and Morrigan supplies arcane support and reconnaissance. The fourth should complement these existing capabilities while adding something new.

  "I'm still considering," I reply. "Let's focus on the immediate situation first." I turn to Morrigan. "You mentioned seeing Death Knights searching for something. I want more information before they become a direct problem."

  The hagraven nods, but seems hesitant—unusual for her. "Could seek more information, yes. But..." she pauses, feathers rustling nervously. "Have been thinking. Morrigan is only one of her kind in army. Limited what one hagraven can do."

  Now I understand her reluctance. "You want to find more of your kind."

  "Yes," she admits, her voice dropping lower. "Hagravens rare, but exist in deeper mountains. Small covens, three or four together usually. Powerful magic users, good at curses, divination, transformation. Would add significant magical capability to army."

  The suggestion makes perfect sense. While Morrigan has proven invaluable, her magical capabilities can only stretch so far across our growing forces. Having a contingent of hagravens under her command would dramatically expand our arcane options.

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  "Where would we find these covens?" I ask, already seeing the strategic advantage.

  "Skull Peak," she replies without hesitation. "Three days flight north. Ancient mountain, sacred to hagravens. At least two covens make nests there. Perhaps more."

  Gorthal looks skeptical. "Hagravens notoriously independent. Territorial. Why would they join us?"

  Morrigan's beak clacks in what I've come to recognize as her version of a smile. "Same reason others join. Power. Protection. Purpose." She gestures to her transformed self—wings now full and capable of true flight, magical abilities vastly expanded under my enhancement. "Also, Morrigan now stronger than any hagraven. Can convince or compel."

  The plan has merit. Having multiple hagravens under Morrigan's command would give us magical capabilities few armies in this world could match. And with my fourth bond slot open, I need to start considering candidates from different monster types anyway.

  "Alright," I decide. "You'll lead an expedition to Skull Peak. Take twenty of our best goblin archers as escorts, plus two of Gorthal's orc lieutenants for muscle if needed." I pause, considering. "Your mission is recruitment, not conquest. Make it clear that joining us is beneficial, not mandatory."

  "Of course, master." Morrigan's feathers puff with pride at being given this important task. "Will be diplomatic. Mostly."

  "While you're gone, I'll work with Gorthal to continue integrating our forces and consider candidates for the fourth bond." I look between my two present lieutenants. "Any more suggestions?"

  Gorthal speaks first, his ritual scars pulsing with excitement. "Minotaur warlord. Few lead larger tribes in western mountains. Strong, intelligent, natural commanders."

  "Troll chieftain," counters Morrigan. "Regeneration useful. Already control swamplands to east. Good territory to expand into."

  Both suggestions have merit, but I'm not ready to commit yet. The fourth bond is too important to rush into without careful consideration.

  "I'll consider both," I tell them. "For now, Morrigan, prepare your expedition. Leave at dawn tomorrow. Gorthal, continue training exercises focusing on unit cohesion between orcs and goblins."

  As my lieutenants disperse to carry out their orders, I contemplate this new development. Four bond slots means four distinct command hierarchies, four channels for my power to flow through to hundreds or potentially thousands of subordinate monsters. The implications are staggering.

  By dawn the next day, Morrigan's expedition is ready to depart. The hagraven looks imposing as she issues final instructions to her escort—twenty goblin archers in light armor and two orc lieutenants carrying heavy weapons. All have been enhanced through our bond network, making them far more formidable than their ordinary counterparts.

  "Three days to reach Skull Peak," Morrigan explains to me as her force prepares to move out. "Perhaps two days for negotiations. Return within eight days total."

  "Be careful," I warn her. "If you encounter Death Knights or other significant threats, gather information but avoid engagement. We're not ready for that confrontation yet."

  She nods, her beady eyes gleaming with intelligence. "Will be cautious. But also successful." With that promise, she spreads her wings and takes to the air, her escort following on foot below.

  Through our bond, I'll maintain awareness of her—less detailed at this distance, but enough to know if she faces serious danger. For now, I turn my attention back to our main camp, where Gorthal continues drilling our combined forces and awaits Nerk's return with the final goblin contingents from the Thousand Eyes.