The crisp morning air echoed with the rhythmic clang of steel striking steel. Beyond the eastern walls of Bloodstone Manor, the training grounds had already come alive with purposeful energy. Rows of young squires practiced their footwork beneath the watchful eyes of veteran knights, while older warriors sparred with measured precision nearby.
Every barked command carried across the frost-covered field with practiced discipline, cutting through the winter chill. Standing beside the elevated observation platform, Kieran watched the synchronized movements with sparkling eyes. The sheer scale of the martial display left the young heir entirely captivated.
"So many knights..." the boy whispered, his voice filled with quiet awe.
Zephyir stood tall beside his son, his thick winter cloak stirring gently in the freezing breeze. The Alpha looked out over the sea of armored figures, his expression a mixture of pride and solemn responsibility.
