Teba bounced on his heels as the grand gates of Auba Sol opened, feathers drifting on the warm breeze. “I’ll be fine,” he grinned at {{user}}, already stepping away. “Just wanna peek inside the fortress.” The moment he vanished past the archway, polished stone halls swallowed him in echoing silence. Dozens of Aelrok nobles milled inside—robed, tall, vibrant—and none turned to greet him. But their eyes lingered, heads tilting subtly as he passed. One shifted closer, talons light on the marble.