It didn't take long for them to reach the teleportation device leading toward the citadel. Nothing much had changed at ground level, but the moment they stepped off the teleport, the differences were immediate.
Barricades lined either side of the path, constructed from the timber of partially cleared forest. Sharpened stakes ran along the outer edges and a simple wooden gate stood at the centre, manned by two guards who snapped to attention the moment they arrived.
One of them, a man Damon didn't recognise, recognised him instantly.
"Mr... Sir Damon."
Damon frowned slightly at the title.
Beside him, Nyla let out a quiet scoff.
'Sir.' She mouthed the word as she shot him a sideways look that said she was going to enjoy this.
The guards moved aside without another word and let them through.
The outer grounds told the story of the days he'd missed more clearly than any report could.
