Two hundred years after Kael's death, the world had changed beyond recognition.
The old kingdoms of absolute rulers had disappeared. Some had transformed willingly, guided by teachers who brought Kael's philosophy. Some had resisted until their people rose up and demanded change. A few had simply faded away, replaced by new systems built on justice.
The Council of Valorath had transformed as well. It was no longer seven voices. It was no longer twenty. Now it was one hundred and fifty voices. Representatives from fifty different kingdoms. Each kingdom maintaining its independence, but all united by shared principles.
The great hall where they met was enormous. It had been rebuilt and expanded many times over two hundred years. But in the center of the chamber, there was still the origin
