THIRTY-TWO
When people exploded into panic all over the cathedral, Siward prayed for calm. He shrugged off the royal robe and set his crown on the throne he had occupied for barely a moment. What were they but empty symbols, anyway? More important was his promise to protect his people from all their enemies. Even that cursed plant.
Striding through the milling crowd, he shouted for a groom to saddle his horse, and pack provisions for a journey to the border.
Lord Vamos caught his arm. "The Council will keep the peace until your return."
Siward thanked him, relieved. The Council might not be good at making decisions or agreeing to change, but they excelled at keeping the populace calm. Within moments, Lord Vamos had found the other Council members and led them purposefully toward the
