King Nereon remained in his study long after King Aldric left, staring at the coral walls that had witnessed decades of difficult decisions. Twenty-four hours. Such a short time to find a solution to an impossible problem.
He stood and began pacing, his mind racing through potential options. Perhaps there was a way to discredit King Aldric's evidence? Spirit testimony was notoriously unreliable in formal diplomatic settings. Most domain courts wouldn't accept the word of elemental beings over established rulers.
But Aldric had been too confident, too prepared. He wouldn't have made this move without ensuring his evidence would be taken seriously. And with Scholar Miren already here from Whispering Peak, potentially gathering more proof...
King Nereon moved to his desk and pulled out maps of the archipelago, studying trade routes and alliance patterns. Maybe he could offer the Northern Reaches something else, something valuable enough to make Aldric reconsider his demands.
