*Rhys*

The first fingers of light caressed the land as I stood on the balcony looking eastward. It was a rare moment of peace I took just for myself. I closed my eyes and took a sip of my coffee, enjoying the silence for a few moments.

The horizon blushed with the soft glow of dawn, but the tranquility of the morning was shattered by the clatter of armored boots rushing toward me.

"Your Majesty!" a breathless scout called out from below, his voice slicing through ...