The meeting lasted far longer than Caelan had expected.
The six men remained standing.
None of them had accepted the tea that had been brought into the conference room.
None of them had touched the expensive leather chairs surrounding the polished table.
They had come with only one purpose.
To deliver the Council's message.
The eldest among them folded his hands behind his back.
"Your Majesty..."
"The Council has asked me to remind you that every day of delay creates uncertainty."
Caelan's expression remained unreadable.
"I'm aware."
"The people have waited centuries."
"They can wait a little longer."
The elder hesitated.
"They fear rumors."
Caelan slowly walked toward the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.
Below...
Thousands of people hurried along busy street
