*Calix*

“What happened?” I asked, taking the coat from Lady Hamund’s arms.

“He’s dead!” she cried, tears streaming down her face.

One of the other Council members came up to console her. “It’s okay, my dear,” he told her. “We’re here. You’re safe now.”

“What happened?” I asked again, this time to the group.

Dex, behind me, took the coat and shivered. “The curse…” he whispered.

Bayle Stormstrung, ...