His six elements erupted; wind blasted through the chamber, water condensed across the walls, ice covered the floor, fire appeared, earth trembled and lightning exploded through the ceiling.
Atheline couldn't control any of it. Something had changed, something enormous.
He looked upward.
"Too early."
Lilith frowned.
"What?"
Atheline forced himself upright.
"The seal."
The palace alarm sounded twice, then it didn't stop.
Zelpher entered without knocking.
"Your Majesties!"
Lilith turned.
"Report."
"Corruption manifestations across the kingdom. Simultaneous. North, south and western territories."
"Numbers?"
"Unknown."
"Capital?"
"Nothing inside the mountains yet."
Atheline hated that word.
Another messenger arrived, then another.
The council chamber filled within minutes. The noble elder entered with several surviving councillors. Military commanders followed.
Maps were unrolled and reports landed on tables faster than they could be read.
