“The throne is empty. And it's not going to stay that way."
Arcantha's voice echoed off the marble walls of the hidden library chamber beneath the capital. Dozens of candles flickered across dusty bookshelves, illuminating hastily drawn maps and intercepted missives.
Vera leaned over the table, eyes scanning troop movements and faction banners. “Who's made a claim?"
“House Virel wants it by blood," Arcantha said. “House Thorn offers a council of generals. And the Hollowcrest twins are backing a puppet boy-king."
“What about Malric?"
“Gone. Vanished. Some say he died in the glacier collapse. Others whisper he's amassing a cult in the lowlands."
Vera clenched her jaw. “He's too quiet. That's always when he's most dangerous."
Arcantha nodded. “Exactly why I summoned you."
---
They wa
