The council chamber was quiet now, the tension of the royal meeting still lingering in the air. One by one, the great doors had closed behind the departing rulers until only three remained — Nicolas, King Alveron IV, and Redna.
Deyrion had left first, without ceremony, stepping through a swirling portal that dissolved into nothingness.
Nicolas broke the silence. "We'll be heading back to Valor now, Alveron. The situation seems like it's going to turn critical soon. Redna and I need to be present, just in case."
Alveron straightened in his seat. "Teleport me there."
Nicolas raised an eyebrow. "Why? Don't you have to send your private army first and travel with them?"
"That's correct," Alveron replied, his voice steady. "But our ship will make the journey faster. A teleportation spell on that scale, with warriors as powerful as mine, isn't viable. We'll arrive near the end of the tournament."
