It was just past midday when the sound of hooves against cobblestone thundered through the streets as Ragnar and his troops entered the capital. Their horses' hooves kicked up dirt, and dust particles lingered in the air even after they passed.
The afternoon sun shone upon the sea of faces that had gathered to witness their return. Word of Ragnar's ambush on the rebel camp had reached the city long before he did, spreading like wildfire through taverns and markets, and now the streets were overflowing with citizens eager to see the rebels who had been causing unrest in the east of Lamora and who had dared defy the crown.
Civilians lined both sides of the road, pressing against the barriers as the soldiers rode past. Some cheered, waving banners of the royal crest, while others whispered among themselves, their faces a mix of awe and curiosity.
