The Grand Chamber of Justice—a vast semicircular hall with towering marble columns and rows of polished oak benches—buzzed with feverish anticipation. Morning light filtered through stained glass windows depicting ancient kings delivering judgment, casting prismatic shadows across the gathered nobility. The air hung heavy with perfumed incense, a futile attempt to mask the stench of corruption that Reed's sensitive goblin nose could detect beneath.
Reed stood in the accused's circle, a mosaic of black and white tiles forming a perfect ring at the chamber's center. His wrists bore ornate silver manacles etched with suppression runes that tingled painfully against his green skin. Despite being stripped of his weapons and ceremonial armor, Reed maintained the rigid posture of a lord, his amber eyes sweeping across the hostile faces of the royal court.
