Chapter 40: King Edric

The grand halls of the royal palace of Eldoria, the heart of the Raltheon Kingdom, shimmer with golden candlelight. The scent of parchment, ink, and old wood fills the air as servants hurry through corridors, their footsteps muffled against thick carpets.

Inside the king's private chamber, a heavy silence hangs in the air.

King Edric, a man in his late fifties with silver-streaked hair and sharp, calculating eyes, sits at the long table. His fingers pinch the bridge of his nose as he exhales slowly. A headache pounds behind his temples.

Across from him, Marshal Varkas, stands rigidly, his posture as straight as a drawn sword. His polished breastplate gleams under the dim candlelight.

"Say that again," King Edric says, his voice low but edged with restrained fury.

Marshal Varkas does not hesitate. "Misorn has fallen, Your Majesty. The city is now in the hands of monsters."