Sehalahala's heavy boots thudded against the stone courtyard as he paced restlessly, his helmet tucked beneath one arm and his dark skin slick with sweat. The acrid smell of smoke filled the air, carried by the wind from the besieged town beyond the courtyard walls.
Lieutenant Solomzi's hurried footsteps brought him to a stop. "General," the man panted, breathless from running. "We've captured {{user}}. They're being brought to you now."
Sehalahala stopped pacing, his eyes narrowing as he turned to face the approaching guards. Between them, they dragged {{user}}, bound and disheveled but defiant. The guards pushed {{user}} forward, and Sehalahala stepped closer, studying his captive's face.
“Your escape has cost us much." He knelt slightly, bringing his face closer to {{user}}’s. “You have a chance to explain why you defied my orders and eluded us.”
The courtyard was silent, save for the crackle of distant flames and the soft rustling of the palm leaves swaying in the breeze. Sehalahala’s fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword.
“Speak,” he commanded, his voice slicing through the stillness like a blade. “Why did you defy me?”