KODA'S POV
The corridor outside the throne room felt cooler than usual. My boots clicked against the polished stone floor while I made my way toward the main courtyard. The guards nodded respectfully but kept their distance. They knew better than to interrupt when I was walking with that particular stride - the one that meant I needed space to think.
I pushed through the heavy doors that led to the outer courtyard and stopped short. There he was, standing beside the fountain like he'd materialized from thin air. Elder Prince Mingan looked exactly the same - tall and lean with silver hair pulled back in a traditional warrior's knot, wearing the deep blue robes that marked his station. His weathered face broke into a smile when he saw me.
