The air inside the fortified walls of the settlement was thick with anticipation. Soldiers stood in orderly lines, their eyes glinting with discipline, though a shadow of curiosity flickered beneath their stoic exteriors.
The towering presence of Commander Lucas, now positioned beside Lyerin, commanded respect among the ranks, but it was clear that Lyerin himself was the real power in this equation.
His aura was impossible to ignore, radiating a casual authority that demanded both fear and awe.
Lyerin stood at the center of the assembly, a picture of poise and refinement.
His golden eyes swept over the gathered soldiers, his expression calm yet unreadable, as if every move he made was part of some grand design only he understood.
The harsh, flickering light of the torches lining the perimeter cast shadows across his features, accentuating his sharp cheekbones and giving him an almost otherworldly glow.
