The Royal Palace of Azureus was in chaos.
Nobles, merchants, and generals were shouting over each other, their voices echoing in the grand strategy room. A massive holographic map of the city dominated the center of the table, turning red as the Draconic Legion pushed through the outer defenses.
"We must evacuate!" a merchant lord screamed, clutching a bag of pearls. "The city is lost!"
"We stand and fight!" a general of the City Watch roared, slamming his fist on the table. "We are the children of the Sea! We do not run!"
"They are eating the wards!" a mage cried out, pointing at the map. "The dragons... they consume mana! Our barriers are just feeding them!"
Lord Oceanus sat on his throne at the head of the table, his face a mask of weary stone. He gripped his scepter, his knuckles white. He looked old. The burden of a thousand years of peace ending in a single night weighed heavy on him.
