Queen Bethesda stepped out of the royal carriage that brought her to the Kingdom of Outrous. She stood now on the palace grounds and looked up at the mighty structure towering before her, far more magnificent than her own palace back in Lusden.
The palace walls stretched high into the darkening sky, carved from black stone that glowed faintly under the cold light. Tall towers rose into the clouds, their pointed edges crowned with silver flags swaying in the wind. The sheer power of the palace was intimidating, even for a queen.
She breathed in the cold air.
Holding her dress slightly in her hand, she began to move gracefully, step by step, toward the familiar entrance of the palace.
The guards instantly recognized her and did not question her. They bowed slightly.
Queen Bethesda allow
