The heavy bronze doors of the throne room opened wide with ceremonial slowness as the herald stepped forward and announced.
"His Majesty, King Casimir of House Sol Aurelius has returned from captivity."
Every noble in the chamber turned. The air already tense with the weight of whispers and speculation suddenly snapped taut and silence blanketed the atmosphere.
Casimir stepped into the hall.
He had become thinner than they remembered. His shoulders were squared and stiff from the pain that clung to his every movement. A wound curved faintly beneath his collarbone, peeking from the opening of his tunic.
His eyes glowed amber unwaveringly as they met each lord and lady without flinching.
At his side walked Lady Cynthia Liora Aurelius, clad in dark armor burnt at the edges. Her hair was pulled back in a long braid, her face a stern mask. If Casimir looked like the king returned from the dead, Cynthia looked like the wild fire that had resurrected him.
