The northern harbor was filled with the rich smell of roasting boar and burning pine wood.
After three weeks of bitter siege and biting wind, the dark storm clouds over the sea had finally broken, letting warm morning sunlight wash across the victory camps.
More than one hundred thousand warriors from every corner of the continent celebrated together on the stony beaches, their ancient clan feuds set aside in the wake of Lanka's fall.
Northern heavy shield-bearers sat side by side with southern spearmen, sharing flagons of sweet spiced cider while Tisaro archers laughed around blazing bonfires with Kafika huntresses.
Across the calm blue bay, colossal titan serpent Zaira rested her massive armored coils in the shallow water, lazily sunning her back while southern handlers gently washed her scales.
Near the central pavilion, Squad 25 gathered around a long wooden table piled high with steamed honey bread, roast venison, and wild mountain berries.
