The rest of the journey passed under heavy silence.
After the ambush, no one spoke much. The soldiers stayed alert, their hands always close to their weapons. Even Captain Roderic looked more serious than before.
Amara kept thinking about the words the attacker had said.
The Shadow Lord wants your power.
She tightened her grip on the horse reins.
"Who is the Shadow Lord?" she asked quietly.
The Shadow Prince walked beside the road, hidden partially in the shade of the trees so the soldiers wouldn't clearly notice him.
"I was hoping it wasn't true," he said.
"But now I'm certain."
Amara frowned.
"Certain about what?"
The Prince looked ahead at the road.
"The Eternal Shadow is not just returning," he said. "It has chosen a vessel… a ruler."
Amara's heart sank.
"You mean… someone is controlling it?"
"Or becoming it," the Prince replied.
Before Amara could ask another question, the road curved around a hill.
And suddenly—
The capital appeared.
Amara gasped.
Massive white walls stretched across the horizon. Tall towers rose into the sky, shining under the sunlight. Golden banners waved above the gates, and hundreds of people moved in and out of the city.
It was larger than anything she had ever seen.
"That's the capital?" she whispered.
Captain Roderic nodded proudly.
"Welcome to Solmire, the heart of the kingdom."
The gates slowly opened as the soldiers approached.
Guards standing at the entrance saluted Captain Roderic immediately.
The group rode into the city.
Amara's eyes widened as she looked around.
Crowded markets.
Street performers.
Magic merchants selling glowing potions.
Armored knights walking through the streets.
The entire city felt alive.
But something else caught her attention.
People were staring at her.
Whispers spread through the crowd.
"That's the girl…"
"The Lightbound…"
"The king's soldiers brought her…"
Amara shifted uncomfortably in the saddle.
"I don't like this," she whispered.
The Shadow Prince's voice echoed quietly beside her.
"You shouldn't."
Soon the soldiers arrived at the massive royal palace at the center of the city.
The palace gates opened slowly.
Marble stairs led up to enormous golden doors.
Captain Roderic dismounted and gestured for Amara to follow him.
"The king is waiting."
Amara stepped down from the horse.
Her heart was racing.
She climbed the long staircase slowly.
Inside the palace, the throne room doors opened.
The room was enormous.
Red carpets stretched across the floor.
Nobles stood on both sides of the hall.
At the far end of the room sat the king.
King Alric.
He wore a golden crown and long royal robes, but his sharp eyes immediately locked onto Amara.
The entire room fell silent.
The king slowly stood up.
"So," he said calmly.
"You are the Lightbound."
Amara nervously stepped forward.
"I… I think so."
The king studied her carefully.
Then, to everyone's surprise—
He smiled.
"Wonderful," he said.
"Then my plan can finally begin."
Amara blinked.
"Plan?"
But the king didn't answer.
Instead, he turned to his guards.
"Prepare her."
"Tomorrow… she enters the Sacred Trial."
The entire throne room gasped.
Even Captain Roderic looked shocked.
Amara's stomach dropped.
"What trial?" she asked.
The king's smile didn't change.
"The trial that will prove whether you are the kingdom's savior…"
He paused.
"…or its greatest threat."
As the guards escorted Amara away, the Shadow Prince watched from the shadows of the throne room.
His eyes darkened.
"This king…" he whispered.
"…is hiding something dangerous."