Snow curled through the broken doorway. Twelve wolves in silver armor entered two abreast, the elite Royal Guard of the Wolf King's Court.
Their boots landed together, and the crowd opened without being told. They formed two lines from the ruined doors to the dais.
Elder Orion walked between them. The cell had left bruises around his wrists, though he held his staff upright.
At his side came a wolf I had never seen, dressed in a dark cloak over royal armor. He carried no visible weapon. Even Kaelen's guards lowered their eyes before the Chief Inquisitor.
He stopped below the dais and looked over the splintered doors, the frightened wolves, and the crown in Kaelen's hands. His gaze settled for a moment on the crimson cloth hiding the Starstone.
"By order of His Majesty, the Wolf King,
