Chapter 86 Ashes Made Kingdom

• The wind rolled over the blackened stones of Avaris, carrying dust and whispers—old memories that refused to die. But beneath those echoes now was something else. Something living. Hammers clanged in the distance. Laughter echoed near the rebuilt southern arch. Fires crackled not in destruction, but in warmth.
• Espen stood at the edge of what had once been the throne room, her arms crossed, eyes narrowed in concentration. What remained of the columns had been cleared. The floor had been swept. But it still felt like a grave.
• Mikko appeared at her side, shirtless and sweaty, his muscles streaked with soot from helping lay stone with the builders.