Hours had passed since the council room had been cleared out, yet the echo was still audible in the walls. Banners swayed softly in the night wind from the open archways, stones and scrolls were cleared, and the great tables were stripped naked. All that was left was the moonlight, which swept like water across the marble floor.

Elaria sat where she had stood that morning, the High Seat’s chair turned slightly toward the window. The council flame was dying in its bronze bowl, guttering ...