When the World Held Its Breath
Yet the moment the tall, hooded shape moved ahead, the day's steady pulse wavered.
Something stayed unclear to him early on. Crowds filled the route -
A few steps away, a merchant leaned on his cart, exhaustion written across his face. Farmers passed by, carrying the quiet scent of damp earth on their clothes. Nearby, soldiers stood straight, though their eyes told of long days. These were regular folks, nothing surprising in their presence. Routine filled the air around them.
This time felt unlike before.
It wasn't just height that marked him - it was structure. Weight came from more than mass, something solid behind his stillness. Quiet tension lived in his stance, power held close under cloth and calm. Shoulders stayed firm despite long roads. Feet moved without weariness. Each motion seemed measured, kept within limits - danger hinted at, only because restraint was so visible.
