The palace dining hall felt warmer than I remembered.
Long tables had been arranged end to end, plates steaming, laughter echoing, and the scent of spices filling the room. Everyone sat around, Arkas, the emperor, generals, my summons scattered among them, Steve grinning at a plate piled too high, and North sitting beside me quietly.
The emperor raised a cup.
"Let us begin. Billion, you brought home two ships. One of which looks like it can crush the capital if it rolls over in its sleep. I assume you have… explanations."
I wiped my mouth with the napkin.
"It's Feran's." I said.
The emperor's eyebrows rose.
"Feran? As in—?"
"Yes. The race. It belonged to a transcendent," I finished. "Vaelix Ranthor."
A silence fell over the table.
