The disbelief, anger, and shock in the exclamations in the council chambers made Fergal screech anxiously. Niamh walked away from the table with the bird on her arm, smoothing his feathers and shielding him from the chaos with her body. Several council members blurted out their thoughts.

“That’s impossible. Valun Breathnach is a loyal supporter of the king!”

“Loyal! There is nothing loyal about him, except his forces.”

“Just because a noble Elf refused entry to ...