The sun rose gently over the Jo Desert, casting its first golden light upon the endless duhough its warmth could have brought hope, the se below was far from hopeful. A small city, led within the desert’s heart, stood in a state of decay. Its buildings, made of sand bricks and crumbling stone, seemed as fragile as the people within. The streets were filled with weary figures, their bodies frail and faces hollow, as if they might colpse at any moment. Hunger g to the air like the sand carried by the desert wind, which swept through the city every few seds, adding to the desotion.

  Beyond the city, a few battered fishing oes dotted the shoreliheir crews desperately trying to pull some sembnce of life from the sea. Among them was Richard, a fisherman who had made it his mission to help the starving city folk. Each day, he rose with the sun, casting his s with unwaverierminatio, his efforts were rarely rewarded. Day after day, his s came up nearly empty, as if the sea itself had turs ba Jo.

  Three months ago, the nobles had abahe city, leaving the peasants to fend for themselves. They cimed to have been called back to the capital to prepare for the arrival of the infamous Ravenna Sorius, the banished princess from the Sun Pace. With their departure, the fragile lifelihat ected Jo to the mainnd was severed. Trade with the coastal cities of the Ana Empire ceased entirely.

  Not that life had been much better before. Even uhe nobles’ oppressive rule, the people had at least been able to trade. The nobles had bullied, extorted, and taken liberties with whomever they pleased, yet they had allowed a trickle of erce to tinue. Now, there was nothing. The absence of even that tenuous stability left the people teetering on the brink of colpse.

  Richard looked at his again. As usual, it was almost empty except for some seaweed and a bunch of uer flowers . Around him, his fellow fishermen were having simir luck, their faces etched with silent despair. Still, they persisted—because they had no choice. Starvation was a certainty if they stopped trying.

  Suddenly, Richard froze. On the horizon, a ship’s silhouette emerged, sailing toward the docks. Its mert fg fluttered in the breeze. He squinted against the sunlight, his heart sinking.

  “It’s a ship,” he murmured. “But not the one we need.”

  As the vessel docked, the truth became clear. It wasn’t here t aid. Soldiers disembarked—rows upon rows of knights in gleaming armor, marg with disciplined speed. Horses and carriages followed in their wake, heading straight for the City Lord’s castle.

  “Looks like they’re here,” Richard said grimly, his voice ced with quiet resignation.

  “Here to make htmare even worse,” muttered another fisherman bitterly.

  The people of Jo watched with heavy hearts. Everyone khe city’s current state was due to the nobles’ greed. Years of exploitation had draihe city of its potential, despite its ideal location as a trade hub. The nobles had looted and taxed with impunity, leaving little for the peasants to survive on. Those who couldn’t pay were met with whips—or worse. Women and children had suffered unspeakable fates at the hands of their so-called protectors.

  Now, the sight of armed knights only rekihose memories of suffering.

  The castle wasn’t particurly grand. Built of pin sto stood more as a symbol of authority than luxury. Its hundreds of rooms were stark and funal, desigo house the city lord, his workers, and occasional guests. The backyard, a bare patch of sand, cked even a siree or pnt—a refle of the barren nd it governed.

  The knights arrived swiftly, their formation tight and orderly.

  Oreets of Jo,

  “What do you think they’re here for? Taxes? Or something worse?”

  “Who knows?” one man replied. “But if that unruly princess demands taxes, we’re doomed. We’ve nothio give.”

  “I heard she killed her own mother,” whispered a woman, her voice trembling.

  “What?!”

  “A kin-syer? By the gods, keep your heads down. Don’t look the knights in the eye. If you draw attention, we won’t survive this.”

  Fear rippled through the crowd as rumors of Ravenna’s cruelty spread like wildfire. Parents hurriedly pulled their children close, while others whispered desperate pns to hide their daughters fr eyes.

  At the Jo tral Square,

  A knight, full armor, rode his horse to the city’s tral stage. Dismounting, he unrolled a part and read aloud:

  “By decree of His Majesty, Her Highness Ravenna Sorius has been appointed as the new City Lord of Jo. She summons the following individuals to meet with her at oo discuss the future of the city and its people.”

  The knight listed the names:

  “Richard Neil

  Jessica Taylor

  Nille Vermen

  Sarah Bob”

  The crowd fell silent, their expressions grim.

  “They’re taking the good folk,” someotered. “The ones who’ve kept this city alive. Why?”

  No one had an answer, but unease hung heavy in the air.

  Richard straightened his shoulders when his name was called. He g the other summoned individuals—Jessica, the tailor; he bcksmith; and Sarah, a healer. Each of them had pyed a vital role in keeping the city funie its hardships.

  “If this new lord tries to harm the people,” Richard muttered, determination hardening his voice, “I’ll fight. Even if it costs me my life.”

  Jessiodded, her eyes resolute. “Same here. We’ve endured enough.”

  Nille adjusted his tools, his expression calm but unyielding. “I’ll hear them out. But if they demand anything unreasonable, I won’t back down.”

  Together, the four made their way to the castle, unsure of what awaited them—but ready to face it head-on.

  O the Castle, they followed the knight leading them through the castle's imposing halls. The air was heavy with tension, and every step echoed ominously off the cold stone walls. The castle seemed far more fortified than any of them had expected; knights stood at every er, their armor polished and ons at the ready.

  The sheer number of soldiers uled the group. Why so many? Was the princess afraid of an uprising? Surely her trained knights were more than capable of handling a few starving peasants. The thought g Richard’s mind, but he forced it aside. There were more pressing s—namely, how to protect the city if this new lord’s demands proved unbearable.

  When they arrived at the audience chamber, the four hesitated. The grand double doors had swung open to reveal an expansive room, its high ceilings adorned with faded banners bearing the Sorius crest—a bzing sun. At the far end of the chamber stood the lord’s throne, a modest sto.

  However, the throne was empty.

  Instead, a tall, young man with sharp features a-bck hair stood in front of it, engrossed in a piece of part he held. He exuded an air of authority, yet his presence felt oddly informal. His bck cloak, trimmed with silver, bore the emblem of the imperial knights.

  The group exged fused gnces, unsure of what to do. They had expected to see the infamous Princess Ravenna, not this stranger. Still, they moved forward, about to kneel out of habit, when the man suddenly looked up.

  “Ah, you’re here,” he said, his voice warm yet anding. He set the part aside on the armrest of the throne. “Five me; I didn’t notice your arrival. I was reviewing Her Highness’s orders.”

  The group stiffened. Her Highness’s orders?

  Richard cleared his throat, trying to steady his nerves. “And who might you be, sir?”

  The man smiled slightly, ining his head. “Ah, where are my manners?” he said, stepping forward. “I am Hughes Gatve, Knight ander of Her Highness’s personal guard.”

  The title hung in the air like a hammer. Knight ahis man wasn’t just a soldier—he was one of the most trusted individuals in the princess’s service.

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