Winter arrived beneath a gray and silent sky.
On that bitter morning, a black carriage bearing the crest of House Dravenhart entered the palace courtyard.
Inside the cathedral hall, two coffins rested upon marble stands draped in dark velvet.
Prince Cassian Dravenhart stood before them.
He had grown taller since childhood, his once youthful features now sharpened into something more severe. His black hair fell loosely across his brow, and his green eyes remained fixed upon the coffins before him.
Beside him stood his family's loyal butler, Edmund Hawthorne.
The old man's voice carried the gentle firmness of someone who had watched Cassian grow from infancy.
"My lord… forgive the words of an old servant, but this matter troubles me greatly."
Cassian did not move.
"The report states your parents were killed during a border raid near Noctyra," Edmund continued.
"But I have served your father for forty years. The Duke of Dravenhart was not a man easily slain."
A younger servant stepped forward nervously.
"Some of the soldiers who recovered the bodies spoke of strange markings at the site."
Cassian slowly turned.
"What markings?"
"Symbols burned into the earth… as though carved by fire itself."
Edmund frowned deeply.
"The soldiers believed them to be arcane symbols."
A quiet anger began to form behind Cassian's eyes.
"So Noctyra begins its games."
Edmund lowered his voice.
"My lord… forgive me for speaking so boldly, but I do not believe this was a simple assassination."
Cassian looked back at the coffins.
Inside his chest grief and fury twisted together like two blades.
Before he could respond, the cathedral doors opened.
Princess Maria rushed inside, breathless.
Her red hair had come loose as she ran.
"Cassian… I heard the news."
Her voice trembled with sorrow.
"I came as quickly as I could."
Cassian looked at her.
For a brief moment the sight of her softened the storm inside him.
But before either of them could speak further, another voice echoed through the cathedral.
"Prince Cassian Dravenhart."
A royal messenger knelt before him.
"His Majesty King Aldric summons you to the council chamber immediately."