The corridors of the royal palace had never felt so silent.
Only the hurried footsteps of the Royal Guard disturbed the stillness as Sebastian followed Captain Aldren through the eastern wing. Torchlight flickered against the stone walls, stretching long shadows across portraits of kings who had ruled centuries before him.
The farther they walked...
The colder the palace seemed to become.
The captain finally stopped before a pair of towering oak doors reinforced with iron.
Two royal guards stood at attention.
Neither spoke.
At Sebastian's approach, they bowed and pushed the heavy doors open.
The Council Chamber awaited.
Inside, only a handful of people were present.
The King stood near the great map of the kingdom, his hands clasped behind his back.
Lord Cassian, the High Chancellor, quietly sorted through several scrolls.
General Alaric, Commander of the Royal Army, remained as motionless as a statue.
