The Shattered Crown: A Song of Aethelgard

King Theron, despite his imposing stature and reputation as a skilled warrior, was a man out of time. More comfortable astride his warhorse than navigating the treacherous currents of courtly politics, he'd ruled Aethelgard with a firm but fair hand for over three decades. His death, however, was anything but fair. Found lifeless in his bedchamber, a single, almost imperceptible puncture wound on his wrist the only clue, the King's demise sent shockwaves through the seven kingdoms. The whispers of assassination spread like wildfire, each noble house harboring its own suspicions, its own hidden agendas. Was it a rival house vying for power? A disgruntled courtier seeking revenge? Or something far more sinister lurking in the shadows? The ornate bedchamber, usually a symbol of royal comfort, now felt cold and oppressive, the air thick with the unspoken accusations and simmering resentments that threatened to boil over into open warfare. The King's three children – Lyra, Elian, and Elara – each with their own strengths and weaknesses, their own claims to the throne, stood poised on the precipice of a conflict that could shatter Aethelgard forever. The weight of a kingdom's uncertain future rested heavily on their young shoulders.