An elderly knight stood behind the battlements; his eyesight was not as sharp as it once was, but his instincts honed on the battlefield were more accurate than any eagle eye.
He grabbed the arm of the knight beside him abruptly, his voice trembling: "Look... over there!"
The thick fog was dispersed by the air currents created by the cavalry charge.
Below the city, a banner burned and mottled by flames yet still imposing unfurled in the wind.
The dark golden dragon pattern, dragon wings spread, dragon claws clutching the Imperial Longsword.
Only the royal family's lineal personal guard had the privilege to hoist it.
Instantly, the city wall fell silent.
The banner was raised personally by a tall knight.
He removed his helmet, revealing a face that no elderly knight in the Imperial Capital would forget.
Years had engraved deep marks on his face, yet his gaze remained as sharp as a blade.
He roared, his voice piercing through the rain: "I am — Kaelin August!"
