“My people, it is an honor to see you all here, even as it is a very sad day for all of us.” He sighed, and it seemed to sweep out over the crowd. Rissa wondered if he was using magic to project since she swore she could feel his false sadness. “This should have been a time of rejoicing for us. A time of elation and pride. A plan I’d put into motion years ago worked flawlessly. We were this close to claiming our victory over our greatest enemy, Dreach-Sciene.” He held two pinched fingers up into the air. “Instead my plan was met with betrayal. I had nothing but the best intentions for the people of Dreach-Dhoun. My people. We would want for nothing. We would have everything. Yet, instead of thankfulness I was given disloyalty. My own subjects plotting against me. Trying to oust me from pow
