The first rays of an early sunrise painted the ruined royal palace in soft shades of gold and striking crimson.
Kai stood confidently on the highest remaining balcony of the partially collapsed central tower.
He wore a brand new black silk robe that had been intricately embroidered with silver frost patterns.
Yena stood faithfully beside him, freshly bathed and dressed in practical, hardened desert leathers.
Her hand rested lightly on the wrapped leather hilt of her curved desert spear.
Below their high vantage point, Sunfall Oasis was slowly waking up to a terrifying new reality.
Fires still smoldered lazily in the crowded lower districts, sending thin plumes of gray smoke into the morning sky.
Freed slaves and angry rebel groups roamed the winding cobblestone streets with absolute impunity.
They were actively looting wealthy noble estates and gleefully tearing down the golden symbols of the old regime.
