The throne room doors loomed before Jack like the gates of judgment itself. Each massive panel of gold-veined marble stood twenty feet tall, its surface carved with scenes of conquest that seemed to writhe in the flickering torchlight.
Ancient kings rode to battle, their armies crushing enemies beneath hooves and blades, while divine figures looked down from crystalline clouds with expressions of cold approval.
The weight of history pressed down on Jack's shoulders as he approached, the small raven shifting its grip with obvious tension.
'This is it,' Jack thought, his hand unconsciously moving toward where his Lightning Blade would have rested. But he carried no weapons here, only the mysterious power he'd gained in the Spire and the ancient intelligence perched on his shoulder.
The palace servant who had escorted him bowed deeply. "Lord Kaiser," the man said, his voice carefully neutral. "His Majesty awaits."
