The sound of galloping hooves echoed as three horses raced toward a small city.
Though it had protective walls, this wasn't an ordinary village—it was one of the key cities under Avalon's rule, famous for its gold mines. The villagers here were all miners, well-paid for their work, but the city was on the edge of the kingdom, where beast attacks were common.
"They're coming! Sound the alarm!" the woman on the lead horse shouted as she and her companions approached the city gates.
A loud horn blared, and the townspeople hurried to the designated safehouse. The gates were opened just long enough for the riders to pass through before they slammed shut behind them.
The woman dismounted quickly and ran up the stairs to the city wall, where the commander of the troops awaited her. Bowing her head in respect, she delivered her report.
