The Zephyros Kingdom was built on the highest peaks of the continent. The air up here was thin, freezing cold, and constantly moving. The capital city was carved directly into the pale white stone of the mountain, connected by narrow, dangerous bridges that hung over bottomless drops.
It was a beautiful, breathtaking place. But today, Velanor Banner hated it. He stood in the center of the Cloud Pavilion, the highest council room in the kingdom. The room had no walls, just massive marble pillars holding up a domed roof. The freezing mountain wind whipped through the pavilion, but the ten Zephyros elders sitting at the curved wooden table didn't seem to care. They wore thick, expensive robes made of silver silk and white fur.
Velanor stood before them wearing simple, worn-out leather armor and a thick brown cloak. He looked like a common mercenary, not a royal Vanguard General.
