The massive crowd stood outside the citadel, pillaging the surrounding Thunder cities and settlements as much as they could under Max's orders. Smoke rose from broken streets, carts were dragged away, storehouses were emptied, and terrified Thunder Dragon civilians were gathered under the watch of foreign warriors.
Above it all, the citadel stood like a black mountain wrapped in lightning, its walls pulsing as if something alive was sleeping inside.
Rosalia and Agnia stood near Gertrud and her siblings, tasked with guarding her and making sure she did not escape.
"What do you think is taking him so long?" Gertrud asked the two of them. She felt slightly close to the two women because of their similar age, even if the mood between them felt tense and awkward.
