To the desert

A state of emergency was declared by the Archduke on that fateful morning.

Such a proclamation, usually reserved for grave crises or times of war, was accompanied by whispers and rumors of a near-duel between the Commanders of the two knight orders within the confines of the manor. The reasons behind the deterioration of the father-son relationship remained shrouded in secrecy, as probing too deeply into the matter carried the peril of jeopardizing one's life.

Lanark's once bustling streets now lay desolate, void of the usual hustle and bustle, except for the vigilant presence of patrolling knights. The state of emergency imposed strict regulations, with civilians who ventured outside their homes facing a single warning before facing immediate punishment for further non-compliance.