Victor's thoughts were interrupted by a flurry of hurried footsteps; the adjutant pushed the door open and knelt on one knee, a voice tinged with undeniable tension: "Sir, scout reports, the main force of the Kingdom Army camped thirty miles east of Silver Shield City last night. They're currently constructing fortifications, expected to gather earliest by tomorrow evening. They don't seem eager to attack, possibly waiting for follow-up logistics and siege equipment."
Victor nodded, gesturing for the adjutant to withdraw.
Three days later, at dawn, Victor awoke from a shallow sleep.
He slept lightly, having never truly slept deeply over the years; each closed eye merely gave his body the minimum needed rest.
Outside the window, the sky was faintly bright, dawn spilled through the clouds' crevices, coating the entire Silver Shield City in a pale golden light.
