The exhaustion, the injuries, and the relentless pressure from the Shadow Clan melted away the moment they rode past the final gorge. The city nestled within the deep, secure walls of a mountain valley was Crimson Valley city-state.
It was immediately apparent why this place had become a haven for those fleeing the Empires. It was an independent city built in a mountain valley, inaccessible without navigating specific, difficult passes. The city itself was bustling, vibrant, and alive with the commerce of a dozen different cultures.
Crimson Valley operated under a unique form of governance: a Council of Merchants and retired warriors. This structure ensured its survival as neutral territory. Both the Eastern and Western Empires relied on it as a critical trade hub, meaning all Empires re
