Alaric's troops reached the capital of Eryndor, High Erynd, at dusk, though heat still clung stubbornly to the stone streets and the air smelled heavily of sun-baked dust.
Words of their return had traveled ahead before the army arrived, so the gates were already overflowing with people before the first banner even appeared in sight.
Merchants abandoned their stalls, children climbed onto shoulders, and others perched themselves on walls and rooftops because nobody wanted to miss what the king was bringing home from war.
The wagon came first.
It moved slowly through the streets. Even the horses seemed uneasy about what they were pulling behind them.
Heavy hides covered the cage, but the shape beneath them was unmistakable.
