Chapter Thirty-Six – The Veins of a Kingdom (Kael)

Kael stood atop the high tower of Arakor—the new stone citadel rising from the heart of his capital. From this vantage, the valley stretched like a living tapestry: aqueducts flowing, forges blazing, scholars walking side by side with soldiers. The Festival of Flame had ended, but its energy lingered.

Yet Kael's mind was elsewhere.

He traced the worn edge of a scroll—an ancient map given to him by a wanderer who claimed to have seen a "beast of metal" beneath the mountains. His advisors called it myth. Kael was not so sure.

"Seriyah said it looked like a coiled dragon," Vireya said beside him, sipping from a golden goblet.

Kael smirked. "She says that about everything she wants me to investigate."

"You enjoy chasing shadows," Vireya replied, then added more seriously, "but there are new ones creeping near our border. Merchants speak of cloaked figures asking for you by name."

Kael turned to her, eyes sharp. "Let them come. I've built this kingdom not as a throne—but as a challenge."

Below, children ran through marble corridors lit by floating lanterns, laughing.

Then came the messenger—a boy no older than fifteen, trembling.

"Sire… riders from the east. Black banners. No flag. No warning."

Kael didn't flinch. "Open the gates."

"Open? But—"

"They came uninvited. Let's make them feel... welcomed."

As the strangers entered the capital, escorted by Kael's personal guard, every citizen paused. Their horses were silent, their armor dark as moonless sky. At the front rode a figure veiled in red silk, eyes glowing faintly beneath.

Kael waited at the stairs of his palace, flanked by Vireya and Seriyah.

The veiled figure stopped, dismounted, and removed her veil.

She was young—barely older than Kael himself. Her gaze was calculating, intense.

"I am Lysara," she said. "Daughter of no land. I seek the one called the Free King."

"You found him," Kael said.

"You hold something that belonged to my ancestors. I've come to take it back—or make a better offer."

Kael chuckled. "Let's talk offers. But know this—no one leaves here unchanged."

Seriyah and Vireya exchanged tense glances.

And above them, the storm clouds gathered, distant thunder echoing like a coming reckoning.

To be continued...