The night of the party arrived.

Lights filled the palace grounds. Music drifted into the open air. Food was laid out in long lines. From the outside, it looked like a celebration meant to distract, to boast, to show pride before war.

Wolves arrived in groups.

Some came quietly. Some laughed too loud. Some walked with anger in their eyes.

At the main gate, the council gathered last, as expected.

They stood together, cloaks pulled tight, faces hard.

“This is madness,” one of them ...