The northern border was nothing like the peaceful streets of the capital.
There were no elegant palace walls.
No beautiful gardens.
No luxurious carriages passing through wide avenues.
Instead, there was a long stretch of dusty road disappearing toward the horizon.
Thousands of people stood there with bundles, carts, sacks of grain, children, tools, blankets, and whatever possessions they had managed to save.
They had all come for the same reason.
They wanted a new beginning.
The government had opened the northern lands for settlement, and families from different parts of the kingdom had gathered at the border before beginning the long journey.
The road ahead was difficult.
Very difficult.
And everyone knew it.
At the front of the crowd stood the migration instructor.
He was a broad-shouldered middle-aged man who had spent years working with military transport groups. His voice was loud enough to reach the people standing several rows behind him.
"Listen carefully!"
