The morning arrived faster than any of them wished, announced not by sunlight but by a heavy knock against the door. Arden was the first to stir, rubbing his eyes as the guard's voice carried through.
"The Lord of Greyhold requests your presence in the hall."
Nyra groaned and buried her face in the blanket. "So early?"
Arden smirked. "You're nobility now. Get used to early summons."
Zephyra stretched beside the bed, her wings brushing the wooden floor as her low growl rumbled like a yawn. "Humans… never rest long enough after victory."
Rael chuckled, already pulling on his boots. "Better than wasting the day. Let's go before Nyra bites someone."
A few minutes later, they followed the guard through the streets, past citizens still tidying stalls and sweeping the dust of yesterday's battle.
Greyhold was alive again, though scarred. Their steps led them straight into the castle's central hall where the Lord of Greyhold sat alone.
