Chapter 13 - The Council of War
The vaulted ceiling of the royal war room echoed with heated arguments. Noble lords who had once bowed to Valen now panicked, while the newly appointed citizen representatives urged immediate defensive measures.
Julian stood at the head of the massive oak table, his presence commanding absolute silence despite his youth. The glowing mark beneath his torn shoulder tunic pulsed with a steady, rhythmic light.
"We cannot lock ourselves inside the walls and wait for them to starve us out," Julian stated firmly, his voice cutting through the murmurs of doubt. "Malakor wants to break our spirit by destroying the capital. We will meet him on the open fields beyond the southern ridge."
Marcus, now commander of the newly formed citizen militia, nodded in agreement. "The people are ready to fight, Your Majesty. But Malakor’s cavalry is heavily armored. Ordinary steel won't pierce their vanguard."
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"They won't be fighting ordinary steel," a deep, rumbling voice echoed from the courtyard outside.
All eyes turned toward the window. Standing tall in the gardens was the massive, cursed beast, its amber eyes locked directly on Julian through the glass, signaling its ready readiness for war.
