The court was stunned. Lord Marwick's arrest sent ripples through the palace, leaving nobles whispering behind closed doors and casting wary glances at one another. But beneath the surface of this fragile calm, a new threat quietly took shape.
Though we had won this battle, the war was far from over. Kael and I spent restless nights planning our next moves, knowing that enemies lurked in unexpected places.
One evening, as we walked through the palace gardens, a messenger arrived with a sealed letter — its wax emblem unfamiliar and ominous. Kael's face darkened as he broke the seal.
The message was brief but chilling: a rival faction had formed, more dangerous and secretive than any we had faced before. Their goal was clear — to seize power by any means necessary.
"We need to prepare," Kael said, his voice low but resolute. "This storm will test everything we have."
I nodded, feeling the weight of the coming battles settle on my shoulders. But alongside the fear, a spark of hope remained — a belief that together, we could face whatever darkness awaited.