Lucien sat alone in the candlelight, the map sprawled before him, pins and notes placed meticulously. He marked the spot near the forest's edge, circling it twice.
There was a knock.
"Enter."
Rowan stepped in. "She found something. Burnt medical crates, forged by royal stock."
Lucien tensed. "And?"
Rowan hesitated. "A dagger. With the Kessel insignia."
Lucien's fingers clenched the table edge. "So it begins."
He stood, walked to the window, and stared into the darkening sky. "Alden needs to hear of this. Quietly."
"And Liora?"
Lucien paused. Then, in a low voice, "Keep her close."
Alden sat in the royal court chamber, an air of tension thick enough to strangle. Ministers flanked either side of the long oval table. The fire in the brazier flickered, casting long shadows on the polished marble walls. He looked more tired these days ever since Petra's unease began surfacing.
