As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an amber glow over the capital of Thrace, a foreboding presence loomed on the horizon. The rhythmic thud of hooves reverberated through the streets, heralding the arrival of Bastian, the Athenian army general, and his formidable squad. Their horses, adorned in elegant regalia, moved with a grace that contradicted the tension in the air.
Bastian, a towering figure with a weathered countenance that spoke of countless battles, led his squad into the heart of the city. The citizens, consuls, and senators gathered in the open air, their faces etched with a mixture of fear and curiosity. The fate of Thrace hung in the balance, and the Athenian presence commanded both respect and trepidation.
Dismounting his royal steed, Bastian's armor clanked with
