The carriage rolled through the falling night of the Skargardian capital, its wheels muffled over the smoother stone roads that led toward the royal grounds.
The city had changed as they drew closer to the center of power. Ordinary traffic thinned. Streets that should have remained open at this hour had been closed off for the evening, with guards posted at intersections and side roads to direct away anyone without the right name, crest, or invitation. Several of the approaches to the castle had been restricted for the event, reserved only for the nobles expected to attend, so that no unnecessary disturbance could reach the royal grounds.
The Rubenhart carriage was taking one of those routes.
