The sun was beginning to set by the time Prince Bruno and his entourage reached Mont Verdain. The city, perched high atop a rocky plateau, stood as one of Corse's last true strongholds. Its thick stone walls, reinforced under Bruno's orders during the early stages of industrial reform, loomed over the surrounding countryside. Towers equipped with cannons overlooked the approach road, and guards patrolled the battlements with vigilance. The gates, made from iron and oak, were sealed tight until Bruno's arrival was confirmed by the sentries.
"Open the gates!" an officer shouted from the walls.
