Nice take on the prompt. I loved the random/fated guess of the spell's "password". It feels like the beginning of an interesting story.

Thanks. I thought about the dragon idea as well, but didn't want to make it "official" so I preferred to leave that up to the reader's imagination as you correctly pointed out.

I love your writing style. The way you described each scene was really well done. Nice job.

Wonderful! This is exactly one of the vibes I was looking for a story from this prompt. Nicely done.

Anya had been planning this attack for five years already. Everything was perfect, all the nobles reunited inside the city and the spell ready to be unleashed. It would take a lot of energy but in the end it was worth it.
As she finished pronouncing the last incantation an eerie stillness wrapped around the city, as every living being (and non living since she had to take into account the possibility of undead) became frozen like a statue.
Completely satisfied by the outcome, Anya's mind begun spinning with every step of her plan she was about to perform, until a tiny movement caught her eye.
In one of the alleys there was what looked liked a wizened old man going about his day like nothing happened. Even weirder, it looked like he had a small area of influence where the people around him moved unaffected as well, just to return still as they left the moving man invisible circle.
'Now that's just great', Anya thought.
'Just when I was about to start my plan, something unexpected just HAD to happen, hadn't it ?'
'What should I do now? Should I just keep going like nothing happened, ignoring this doofus and proceeding as planned? Or should I go investigate and risk alerting a powerful unknown entity?
He certainly doesn't seem aware of what's going on and even if he did, he doesn't strike me as a hero...'
While Anya was thinking, she kept an eye on the man in question and loosely followed him from a distance.
'Alright, let's probe with caution what he's up to and move from there.'
"Excuse me good sir, can I help you"
"Oh, yes please. I'm looking for the renowned bakery that makes the best blueberry pie in the country. I know the general location, but could you give me better directions?"
'A blueberry pie??? Of all things? The mysterious man unaffected my painstakingly prepared spell just wants a piece of blueberry pie? Just my luck...'
"Ah yes, the famous blueberry pie of Jolvar, just keep going this direction until the outer wall, then follow it up to the fountain. From there take the street with the sides covered in ivy, and the shop should be on the right. "
'Perfect. This way he'll be the farthest from where I intend to act'
"Thank you very much. You've been a very kind soul. I wish you a good day.
Ah, and good luck with the assault." The last words spoken as he's already heading towards his destination.
Anya stood there for a moment, too dumbstruck to process what just happened.
'Good.
Luck.
Invasion?
He knows???'
Having recollected her bearings, she tried to catch up with the old man, who moved farther along during her brief shock.
"Wait a second. You know what's going on?"
"But of course, how would I not? Everybody's still as a stone. It would make me quite the imbecile not to notice, wouldn't you agree?"
"B-b-but you're moving? How are you not still? My spell should have frozen you like everybody else! I spent years preparing for this."
"Oh that... I just wanted to taste the famous blueberry pie. Couldn't delay it for a bit, I've waited too long, and besides, let's just say I have learned a few tricks in my years..."
"Soooo, are you going to interfere with my plan?"
"Depends. Are you going to destroy the bakery?"
"No"
"Good, then I guess I won't. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a pie to taste and you're in my way, and I suggest you don't delay me further lest I change my mind. As I said earlier, good day!"
And with that, he took off at a brisker pace than earlier, seemingly eager to get his hands on his pie.
'Hah! This was truly unexpected. Maybe after everything's done, I might as well go and sample this famous blueberry pie'.