The morning sunlight filtered through the high windows of the great hall, casting long shadows across the stone floor. The sound of boots echoed faintly, and the smell of breakfast still lingered in the air. I leaned back in my chair, legs stretched out in front of me, fingers idly tapping the armrest. My knights—Rodrick, Helena, Aldric, Emory, and Garreth—sat around the large wooden table, discussing plans, but I wasn't paying much attention—not yet anyway.
Rodrick was talking, of course. His deep voice carried across the room as he outlined the new structure we had discussed. "The Royal Vanguard will be the spearhead of our forces. They'll need to be mobile, ready for combat at a moment's notice. I'll personally oversee their training."
