Thalia Blackwood stretched out her legs, feeling the burn of the morning's grueling training session still lingering in her muscles. The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows on the stone walls of her quarters, creating an almost hypnotic atmosphere as evening settled over the castle.
She sat in a cushioned chair near her desk, a thick leather-bound book open on her lap. The quiet rustle of pages filled the air as she lazily flipped through them, not really focusing on the words. The scent of old parchment mingled with the leather of her nearby weapons, creating a comforting aroma that reminded her of late nights spent honing both her mind and body.
As she turned another page, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed from the hallway outside. Thalia's ears perked up, recognizing the fam
