The air hung thick with tension as both parties turned their backs, walking away from the center of the field. Commander Bruno returned to his mount without a word, his eyes fixed on the line of soldiers standing tall behind their barricades. His two bodyguards flanked him silently as they made their way back toward the royal army's side of the plains.
As he approached the front lines, Captain Haide rushed forward, her eyes filled with urgency and concern.
"Commander!" she called, dismounting quickly. "How did the parley go? What did he say?"
Bruno paused for a breath, glancing over the horizon where the Blazzarene army had now begun to stir behind the treeline. "He offered surrender," he said with quiet disdain. "Told me to hand over the Metreon Star to avoid war. Promised peace, claimed he'd protect it."
Haide's brows furrowed. "And your response?"
