The D-Day,

Author

The day of the Annual Gathering dawned cold and sharp, the sky streaked with pale gray clouds that blotted out the sun like a warning.

For weeks, the Royal Capital had hummed with restless energy - messengers galloping through cobblestone streets, wagons loaded with gifts and supplies rolling through the gates, banners of every color and crest strung from every tower and balcony. But today, the noise felt thinner, tighter, as if the entire city was holding its breath, waiting to see who would come, and what they would take.

At the heart of the capital stood the Great Hall of the Sovereign - ancient, imposing, built...