The grand hall of Caer Thalas was no longer the same. The crystal chandeliers, suspended from the arched ceiling, cast golden reflections over faces hidden behind masks — some lavishly adorned, others discreet, almost shy. The capital's elite moved with choreographed steps, amid porcelain smiles and sharp glances. Each noble there carried a hidden purpose.
Drayk entered accompanied by Varian, Kaelon, and Orzoth. His arrival shattered the rehearsed harmony of the room — like a silent thunder that echoed through the hall. He wore black garments with silver embroidery, the mask concealing half of his face. His golden eyes, calm, scanned the room with restrained attention.
Varian walked beside him, steady, though her eyes swept the room with constant vigilance. The necklace she had received from Drayk that morning gleamed under the warm light of the hall, a subtle symbol of their bond.
