The First Blow
The wind was thick with salt and smoke as it blew through the narrow streets of Tarnar, carrying with it a heavy sense of foreboding. The city, once vibrant with the rhythms of everyday life, seemed quieter now, its citizens more watchful, more wary. Kerran Moryn stood at the edge of the marketplace, eyes scanning the distant horizon beyond the walls. He could feel it—a shift in the air that told him something was about to break.
Though the city’s defenses had long been fortified, and Captain Halric Veyrond had ensured that the soldiers under his command were always ready, Kerran’s instincts told him that Tarnar wasn’t prepared for what was coming. Not yet.
It had only been a few days since Lyra Caenor had returned from her mission. She had left without warning, as she often did, her passion and sense of duty driving her to act before she could explain herself. Kerran knew better than to question her decisions; after all, she was one of the few people who understood the importance of the Tirandori cause. But her absence had left him unsettled, and he could not shake the feeling that something had gone terribly wrong.
When he had received the messenger’s note announcing her return, Kerran had hoped for news of her success. Instead, he found only an exhausted Lyra, back in Tarnar with more questions than answers. She had seen signs of movement in the East—the kind of movements that suggested something far worse than a mere political maneuver. But she hadn’t had enough time to gather the full picture, and now the uncertainty gnawed at both of them.
“Kerran,” Lyra’s voice broke through his thoughts, low and steady. He turned to find her standing beside him, the dust of the road still on her boots, her face set in that determined way she always carried when she knew something was wrong. She hadn’t even bothered to remove her armor yet.
“You’re thinking about it, too,” she said quietly, following his gaze toward the city gates. “I can feel it, too. Something’s off.”
Kerran nodded. “We’ve been watching the Skarith for months. But this... this is different.”
As if on cue, the rumble of distant horns reached their ears—a sound that, though muffled by the walls, was unmistakable. It wasn’t the sound of a patrol, or even the occasional skirmish. This was the call of war.
“The Skarith,” Lyra whispered, her hand already moving to the hilt of her sword. “They’re coming.”
Kerran’s heart sank. For months, rumors had swirled about the Skarith warlord Azekos Draegon rallying his forces in the east, but no one had been able to confirm anything. Now, it seemed that the rumors were true, and they were much worse than anyone had feared.
“They must have crossed the border,” Kerran said, his voice grim. “We have to warn Halric. Get the city’s defenses up.”
Lyra’s eyes met his, and for a moment, there was an unspoken understanding between them. This wasn’t just a battle—they were facing the beginning of something much larger. The future of Tarnar was hanging by a thread.
They hurried to the military headquarters, where Halric Veyrond had already gathered his officers. The Captain, usually calm and collected, was speaking in urgent tones as Kerran and Lyra entered the room. His gaze sharpened as he saw them, and he motioned for them to join the circle.
“You both felt it, then,” Halric said without preamble. His expression was tight, but his voice betrayed none of the panic Kerran might have expected. “The Skarith have finally made their move.”
Kerran nodded, his jaw set. “Azekos Draegon. They’ve crossed the border. We need to prepare for the worst.”
Lyra’s gaze darkened. “I’ve seen the signs for weeks. The Skarith have been amassing forces. But this... this is an invasion.”
Halric didn’t need to say anything. His grim nod was enough. “We’ve been waiting for this moment, but it’s come faster than we thought. It’s time to see what Tarnar is really made of.”
The door slammed open, and a messenger rushed in, breathless. “Captain! We’ve got reports. The Skarith army is already at the outer villages. They’re moving toward the gates. We need to move, now.”
Halric’s eyes darkened, his lips pressed into a thin line. “It’s begun.”
Kerran turned to Lyra, his heart racing. They had no more time to wait. This was no longer just a battle for Tarnar’s safety—it was a fight for the future of the entire region. And this time, they would not be caught unprepared.
