Spring came slowly to Starfall. Snow retreated from the rooftops, leaving streets slick with mud and the river swollen with meltwater. The first merchant caravans returned through the southern gates, bringing grain, timber, and news from settlements that had spent the winter cut off from the capital.
For most citizens, the change of season was a relief. Markets reopened, children returned to the streets, and farmers began preparing their fields. The fear that had settled over the kingdom during winter gradually loosened its grip.
But inside the council hall, peace remained a difficult thing to maintain.
Ethan stood beside a tall window, reviewing the latest reports from the border provinces. The Winter Compact had survived its first season, though barely. Several noble families continued to resist its restrictions, while merchants complained that the new oversight procedures delayed trade.
