Chapter Six
Breakthrough
The Conclave convened deep in the Makkan Keep’s Chamber of the Sacred.
Generally used for honoring, communing with or seeking intercession from ones’ ancestors, this was also the site of the governate’s high rituals both public and private. The décor was somber, all rare dark woods with highly polished black stonework luridly lit by giant red-tuned dishes roaring around the circular perimeter.
Inside these, ranged about the round central dais, stood every Seer and Acolyte in the governate, both those stationed locally and the ones traveling with the Empress. Nearly fifty strong, the women rustled with anticipation despite remaining decorously silent. Smoke from incense and powerful herbs smoldering among aromatic wood chips wafted up from ceremonial censers.
