The assembly didn't end. It shifted.

After Gideon's performance, Katheris called for a recess. But instead of dismissing everyone, she requested that "key stakeholders" remain. Which apparently meant me, Darius, and whoever the council decided was important enough to witness whatever came next.

I watched the crowd thin, noting who stayed and who left. Lord Henric remained, along with Lady Miren and three other council members I barely knew. Mordain, of course, stayed front and center. And ...