Silk Within Stone
He walked past the guard on gate of prison hall without waiting for further ceremony.
The doors opened inward.
The air inside carried a different scent—oil, damp stone, iron, sweat.
It was the smell of confinement. Of regret. Of things people preferred not to see.
A herald standing near the entrance raised his voice, panic tightening his throat as he nearly stumbled over the words.
"All present—attention! His Benevolent Majesty, King Leon of Nagarath, enters the prison hall!"
The announcement rippled through the structure like a stone thrown into water.
Chaos.
Footsteps scrambled.
Chains rattled.
A crash echoed through the room - wood snapping against floorboards. Something heavy tipped over near the window. The sound came sharp, sudden, out of nowhere.
A hushed swear vanished into silence.
