[Silthara Palace — The Eastern Departure Gate — Afternoon]
The imperial gates of Silthara Palace opened slowly beneath the burning afternoon sun.
Massive black doors carved with ancient serpent emblems groaned against stone while desert winds swept through the lower courtyards carrying heat, dust, and the scent of approaching travel.
The eastern expedition was finally departing. Rows of Red Knights stood armored beside the royal convoy while desert drakes snarled impatiently against golden harness chains.
Supply caravans stretched endlessly behind them: water carriers, medical wagons, Imperial scouts, and mage escorts.
Everything necessary for crossing the eastern desert safely or attempting to. At the center of the procession, Zeramet stood beside the black royal carriage, speaking quietly with the military captains.
"No campfires after midnight." His voice remained calm. "Double the eastern scouts, and if anything unusual moves beneath the dunes…"
