*** [5 years after] Cedric stood atop the parapets of the Knights’ Keep, his gaze sweeping across the vast expanse of the Kingdom of Ardenia. Below him, the capital city of Valoria bustled with activity, its streets alive with the hustle and bustle of merchants and travelers. The towering spires of the Royal Palace loomed in the distance, a testament …

*** Nightfall descended like a cloak of shadows, enveloping Asherl Manor in its embrace. Cedric sought solace in the quiet refuge of the family library, surrounded by the wisdom of ages past. Here, amidst the tomes and scrolls that lined the shelves, Cedric delved into the legacy of knighthood, tracing the footsteps of heroes long gone.   Each page turned …

A child looked to be seven years old, Cedric Asherl, sitting under the tree in the courtyard of Asherl Manor, with chestnut hair that framed his bright blue eyes. His gaze fixed upon the flurry of activity before him. In the early morning light, knights clad in gleaming armor sparred with practiced precision, their swords flashing like silver lightning against …