The gates of Aetherion towered above the riders as Selene approached, the great stone arch carved with scenes of the kingdom's victories, battles long past, heroes long dead. Today, the walls felt less like protection and more like judgment. Trumpets sounded a restrained welcome as the guards recognized her standard. The iron portcullis rose slowly, its chains grinding like old bones.
Her escort tightened formation around her, but Selene barely noticed. Her attention was locked on the city beyond, streets unusually quiet, eyes watching from behind shuttered windows, soldiers posted in corners that had never needed watchmen before. The air crackled with an unease she had never known in the capital.
When she passed beneath the arch, a figure stepped forward from the shadows.
Kael.
He bowed, expression unreadable. "Commander. His Majesty awaits you in the citadel."
"Is he well?" Selene asked.
Kael hesitated. "He is… bearing the weight of too many storms at once."
