On a scorching summer's day, Commander Arterius watched beneath the large oak tree, sweat trickling down his temple as he watched the infantry drill in the midday sun. Leather straps dug into their shoulders, their movements sluggish under the weight of full armor. One recruit—barely old enough to shave—swayed on his feet before catching himself. Arterius exhaled through his nose. “That’s all for today,” he ordered, a hal...

The swift morning sun crept higher in the sky, casting a golden blanket across the northern lands of Elyria, painting the sky a brilliant orange and red. Liseria stirred first, her bare shoulder pressing deeper into the feather-stuffed mattress as she stretched beneath the linen sheets. She blinked against the light, her sapphire blue eyes adjusting slowly, and exhaled through her nose, the warmth of Arterius’ chest still...