For a moment, no one spoke.
The weight of Daniel’s warning settled heavily between them, sharper than anything they had dealt with before. Political tension was one thing. Strategic pressure was another. But once people started discussing force openly, even quietly, everything changed.
Lyra looked at Daniel carefully. “Who’s pushing for it?”
Daniel exhaled slowly. “The same people who believe hesitation weakens leverage.”
“Elena?” Kael asked.
“No,” Daniel replied immediately. “Not her.”
That answer came too fast to be uncertain.
Lyra noticed it.
So did Kael.
“Then who?” Lyra pressed.
Daniel glanced briefly toward the lower grounds before answering. “Several northern leaders who think today damaged their position more than expected.”
Kael’s expression remained controlled, but Lyr
