The room remained silent as James's words hung heavy in the air. His companions sat in quiet reflection, understanding now the weight of the battle and the personal loss James carried with him. Even Pippy, usually the most cheerful among them, was subdued by the gravity of the tale.
James took a deep breath, shifting his gaze to the flickering flames in the hearth. "After Karneth fell, there was nothing left but ruins and ashes. King Herod's kingdom had been swallowed by the darkness. But I couldn't stay and mourn. I made a promise to him to protect his people, those who had survived."
He leaned back in his chair, his voice steady despite the sorrow that lingered in his tone. "That was when the Great Pilgrimage began. I gathered the survivors, men, women, and children, and we fled the remnants of Karneth. There were only a few hundred of us, all that was left of a once-great kingdom."
