The palace had never sounded so loud.Yet no one spoke.Hundreds of candles burned along the Hall of Ancestors, their flames bending as a cold draft crept through the marble corridor. Servants moved with lowered heads. Guards tightened their grip on polished spears. Even the musicians, whose melodies usually welcomed the Queen home, remained frozen.They had seen her arrive.She rode through the eastern gate alone.Her white mare was streaked with mud and dried blood.The Queen's cloak had been torn from shoulder to hem.More unsettling still...Her crown was missing.Queen Nephla dismounted without waiting for assistance. Her silver hair, usually braided with gemstones, hung loose over her shoulders. She ignored the frightened faces surrounding her and climbed the palace steps one slow stride at a time.Captain Garrick knelt before her."Your Majesty..."She did not answer."My Queen, are you wounded?"Still nothing.Only when she reached the palace doors did she stop.Without turnin