When they reached the entrance to the hall, the guards let them pass without question. The council chamber was dimly lit, the glow of lanterns casting flickering shadows across the stone walls. Several figures were already gathered inside, their faces drawn with exhaustion. Some of them had barely slept since the battle, and it showed.
Lyara stepped forward first, pulling the scroll from Jude's grasp and setting it down on the central table. "We received this at the east gate."
The council members leaned in, scanning the words. Silence stretched between them, heavy and unbroken.
Jude folded his arms. "We need to find out who sent this."
One of the older councilmen, a man named Veylen, exhaled through his nose. "We already know." His gaze lifted to meet Jude's. "This isn't the first message."
Jude felt a flicker of irritation. "And when exactly were you planning to tell us that?"
Veylen didn't flinch. "When we had something useful to tell you in return."
