Silax's continued his walk, his footsteps echoed off the polished cobblestones, a lonely rhythm against the unnerving silence that had gripped the city.
He wasn't alone, not entirely. Every so often, a furtive face would peek from a doorway or a shadowed alley, eyes darting nervously before disappearing back into the gloom.
He saw a young woman in a faded blue dress duck into a doorway as a patrol of guards rounded the corner.
The increased patrols, intended to offer protection, only exacerbated the tension, a stark reminder of the fragile state of peace.
The city guards' presence used to be more ceremonial than anything, a familiar, almost friendly presence.
Their days were usually spent lounging by the main gate, occasionally breaking up a drunken brawl or settling a petty squabble.
