[House of High Ensi Rakhane Karzath—Same Night]
The moon had barely climbed to her full height when the lamps of the High Ensi's residence still burned fiercely—casting long gold shadows across walls carved with ancient scriptures and coiled serpent motifs.
High Ensi Rakhane Karzath sat upon his low stone seat, surrounded by scrolls and sealed parchments. The soft crackle of incense filled the room, but his mind was sharp as a serpent's fang.
He unfurled another parchment—his eyes narrowing.
"The bridge connecting Silthara Palace and the Arakane Sands…" His brows furrowed, voice deep and resonant, "...is collapsing?"
His assistant, a young serpent in blue ceremonial cloth—Sareth-Min—bowed low, hands pressed together in respect.
"Yes, High Ensi. The stone base has cracked from the desert floods. Serpentians now cross through the shallow river routes to reach the capital. But this cannot continue for long. Many have already slipped… and the currents rise with each moon."
