Night had fallen over the royal castle. The corridors lit by flickering wall sconces.
Headmaster Esq walked beside Councilman Rudeus — both men of the Whyteleafe branch families.
"The Black Batch have been quiet since Leonhart's final voyage," Esq muttered. "Too quiet. It feels like a gathering storm. They'll strike again soon — I can feel it in my bones."
Rudeus nodded, voice low. "And I fear we are too divided at a time like this. Self-interest rather than patriotism rules the current council. Look at us — Boren desperately covets the throne because he was Leonhart's uncle. The other council seats… humph. Leonhart made too many changes that only endured because of his authority. He elevated Schar — a man with no sect at all. Tobii Yorke has never forgiven that insult. A Yorke was meant to stand alone at the head of the army. Now he must share title of General with a Sect-less man."
Esq gave a bitter chuckle. "And don't forget the Dravane seat. Their main line had only daughters and that legitimized bastard, who ultimately chose to serve as a Knyyt instead of claiming his political birthright. Leonhart used that as an excuse to push the entire sect off the council. Convenient, wasn't it?" He shook his head, voice disdainful. "Now the Queen chooses that same Knyyt Draven as her new bodyguard. A one-handed man whose only real talent is weaving illusions. Illusions! He's less than half the fighter he used was before losing his dominant hand, and his runes produce nothing material. Yet she picks him to protect her. First she spares that worthless traitor boy by letting the Kaine girl claim him, and now this? The Queen's judgment grows more questionable by the day."
Rudeus's expression darkened further. "Oh, don't forget the delusional fool, Valda — another bastard. You know, the reason he stuck with his last name instead of seeking legitimacy as Whyteleafe is because he aims to found his own Sect? He builds influence to that end." Rudeus paused for a mocking laugh. "Wisteria Sect… humph. As if one generation is enough to make a name that matters."
A breathless messenger hurried up the corridor, nearly collided with them. He quickly informed the two councilmen that an emergency session of the High Council had been called and their immediate presence was required in the hall.
In the Council Hall, councilmen took their seats amid low murmurs. The sound died as Queen Abigail entered along with Fredder Kaine.
She claimed her waiting seat at the end of the long table while Fredderich stood near.
Boaren rose first, voice indignant. "Lord Kaine has no place on this council, therefore no business in this chamber. Why does a non-councilman interrupt our session?"
Queen Abigail responded. "The council will hear him. This matter concerns Elsem's safety."
Frederich inclined his head respectfully before speaking, his tone steady and persuasive. "Years ago, the Black Batch slipped agents into this very court. They infiltrate Elsem while Leonhart Whyteleafe was King, imagine how much bolder they will get now that he is gone."
"The average fool knows this, Lord Kaine," Esq interrupted, "What is your point?"
Fredder a narrowed gaze across the table, reading all of their faces. He continued, "I have credible information that a traitor sits among this very council. Someone affiliated with the Black Batch, who has been leaking information to them since Leonhart's reign."
Murmurs erupted across the table. Boren condemned the accusation outright, face flushing with outrage.
Rudeus questioned the credibility of this information.
Satorii observed her brother silently.
Frederich continued without raising his voice. "Rest assured, I have already moved."
Deep in forested hills faraway from Elsem, a party of Kaine soldiers advanced silently through the darkness.
Brimmah moved amongst them, every step careful, branches brushing against shoulders.
They used the night as cover, only faint silver of moonlight filtering through the canopy paved their way. The distant outline of a mountain and its hidden cavern loomed ahead.
In the Council Hall, Frederich's voice carried on. "My first priority once I decided to return to Elsem — has been to exterminate the Black Batch threat. I had caught wind of one of their hideouts, and now sent an elite Kaine party to capture their lieutenant for questioning. Elsem needs decisive action. The coming days will unearth the traitor on this very council. I, Fredder Kaine, will act where others hesitate — to protect the realm and expose the rot within!"
The Kaine party huddled under a vast, old tree near the mountain's foot. Their leader, the Kaine Sealbearer, passed hand signals in the darkness.
Others understood the message but not Brimmah. Yet he remained silent as everyone else because words were forbidden here and now.
Things were about to unfold.