The Council Chamber, Palace of Avaranth
The council chamber was a stark contrast to the grandeur of the Great Hall. Its walls were lined with maps and ledgers, the large circular table in the center covered in documents. King Alarion sat at the head, his expression grim. Callum and Seraphina stood beside him, their postures stiff.
As Lyriana entered, she could feel the tension in the room. The barons were present, their faces a mixture of concern and suspicion.
"Thank you for joining us, Lyriana," the king said, his tone clipped. "We have received troubling news."
Baron Thryne stepped forward, his voice grave. "A caravan from Varyndal was attacked near the northern border. The guards were slain, and the cargo—supplies meant for the prince's arrival—was stolen."
"By rebels?" Lyriana asked.
"Perhaps," the king said. "But there are signs that suggest something more sinister."
He gestured to a scroll on the table, its seal broken. Callum unrolled it, revealing a crude map marked with strange symbols.
"These markings," Callum said, "match the descriptions from the Book of Varys. Whoever attacked the caravan may be connected to the Shadowborn."
A murmur spread through the council. Lyriana felt a chill run down her spine.
"What do we do?" she asked, her voice steady.
King Alarion's gaze hardened. "We prepare. Callum will lead a squad to investigate the attack site. Meanwhile, the court must remain unaware of this threat. We cannot afford panic."
The barons nodded in agreement, but Lyriana's mind raced. If the Shadowborn were real, then the kingdom faced a danger far greater than rebellion. And if the prince's arrival was tied to this growing shadow, time was running out.
As the meeting adjourned, Lyriana approached Callum. "You're not going alone," she said firmly.
Callum hesitated but nodded. "Be ready at dawn."
Lyriana nodded, determination in her eyes. She had spent years feeling like a pawn in her father's game. But now, she would take control of her own destiny.
Together, they would face the storm. And no matter what lay ahead, she would fight to protect Avaranth and the ones she loved.
YOU ARE READING
A kingdom of Ash and Echoes
Historical FictionHer heart was shattered. Now, she'll wield its pieces as weapons. Princess Lyriana of Avaranth was once the jewel of the kingdom - graceful, obedient, the image of a perfect royal. But after a cruel betrayal, the girl she was is lost forever. Rising...
