Making a flashy entrance

As two days passed, the castle grounds transformed into a bustling military encampment. Tents sprawled across every available space, the air filled with the sounds of sharpening blades and the nervous whinnies of war horses.

Strategy meetings extended long into the night, with heated debates about the best way to confront an enemy that defied the natural laws.

Yet, despite the growing strength of their combined forces, an undercurrent of anxiety ran through the gathered nobles.

Leanna, in particular, found herself constantly scanning the horizon, her heart clenching each time a new group of riders approached. There was no sign of Aragon, whose promised aid seemed increasingly crucial with each passing hour. She clung to hope, reminding herself of his unwavering reliability in the past.