The air over the empire's borders was thick with tension. Soldiers hurried back and forth between the battlements, carrying weapons, supplies, and hastily scribbled orders. The horizon, normally a peaceful stretch of rolling hills, now bristled with the enemy's siege engines and war banners. The enemy coalition had made their move, and the assault had begun.
Lucian stood on the balcony of his war room, overlooking the fortress of Solen, the most fortified of the empire's border strongholds. His sharp eyes scanned the distant enemy encampments, noting the movements of their forces, the placement of their siege engines, and the dark magical storm beginning to coalesce in the skies above them. His jaw tightened as he sensed the unnatural energy. Forbidden magic was in play.
