The golden banners of the Kingdom of Korasium fluttered proudly atop the palace towers, greeting the first light of morning. Inside the throne room, King Leinhart stood before the ancient map of Sulland, his gaze heavy with unspoken thoughts. War drums had yet to sound, but he knew—the time would soon come.
In the grand hall, emissaries from the five tribes had gathered, each bearing the proud sigil of their people. Whispers of unrest had reached even the farthest corners of the kingdom. Tensions along the Gargantos border were rising, and spies brought reports of suspicious movements.
But the greatest concern came from the north.
The Kingdom of Livasol—long silent—had suddenly begun mobilizing its army. The latest reports stated that ten thousand soldiers were gathering at the northern stronghold, fully equipped for battle and long-range assault. The flames of war seemed only a command away.
Queen Diana entered the room in silence, her eyes reading the unease etched on her husband's face.
"The peace we've maintained is beginning to fray," she said quietly.
King Leinhart nodded. "And soon, we must decide—whether to defend, or to strike first."
Outside the palace, the clash of swords echoed in the training grounds. Young soldiers continued their drills, preparing for a war yet to be declared. The northern wind blew colder than usual over Korasium, as if heralding the arrival of a great storm.
King Leinhart took a deep breath, then walked toward the towering throne at the end of the hall. Advisors stood in silence along the walls, waiting for the king's command. With a voice firm and resolute, he broke the stillness.
"Summon General Kael and General Yuvan," he commanded. "It is time Korasium shows we will not bow to threats."
Soon, two formidable figures entered the hall. The first was General Kael, a silver-haired man with a sharp gaze, known as the greatest strategist in all of Sulland. Beside him stood General Yuvan—a broad-shouldered warrior wielding a long spear, famed for his strength and bravery on the battlefield.
They knelt before the king.
"News from the north," Leinhart said. "Livasol is moving ten thousand troops to the border. I will not wait for them to knock on our gates."
"Order the main army to prepare," he continued. "Kael, you will lead the northern guard and reinforce Fort Valnor. Yuvan, ready the elite forces in the west—I want you in position should they attempt a pincer attack."
The two generals nodded with utmost respect.
"The war has not begun," Queen Diana said softly, "but its shadow already stretches across these palace walls."
Outside the hall, drummers began their practice. Tribal banners were lowered into the training fields. The sky over Korasium turned gray, as if bracing for the bloodshed to come.