The mountain road gradually surrendered to civilization.
The jagged cliffs softened into rolling foothills, while pine forests gave way to scattered farms surrounded by rough stone fences.
Thin ribbons of smoke climbed from lonely cottages, dissolving into the grey afternoon sky.
Oxen pulled wagons laden with sacks of grain toward the city, and every traveler they passed wore the same expression, a hurried glance toward Handh City, followed by quicker steps.
War had a way of making ordinary folk walk faster.
Ahead, the walls of Handh dominated the horizon.
Built from pale granite veined with black stone, the fortress-city rose from the earth like an ancient giant refusing to kneel before time.
Massive square towers overlooked every approach, each crowned with fluttering green banners embroidered with Krynova's silver swords. The walls were thick enough for four horsemen to ride abreast upon them.
