Chapter 16 – Whispers of Fire
The Council of Seven convened under the veiled banners of the Luther Clan's war chamber.
Jean stood beside her grandfather Charles, flanked by Whitney and a few Envoy Knights. Her victory over Darien had earned her more than respect—it had earned her a seat at the table of command, if only as a guest.
The others didn't like it.
A red-robed scout stepped forward, kneeling. "Reports from the Iron Empire confirm movement in the scorched provinces. An entire village gone—no bodies. Just ash. Symbols burned into the ground."
He handed over a scroll.
Charles read it. His face hardened.
"The Serpent-Sword-Flame," he said. "The Dragon Cult is active."
Jean tensed.
"The village," Charles continued, "was less than twenty miles from Pyraxis, the capital fortress of the Iron Empire."
The name sent ripples through the room.
"The Empress won't take that lightly," muttered one commander.
Jean stepped forward. "Let me investigate. If the Cult is involved, it may be connected to the Skyrazor I fought in Broken Valley."
One of the elders snorted. "You want to send a girl into the Iron Empire's territory?"
Charles snapped, "You'll address her as Envoy Knight Luther. Or leave this room."
The elder fell silent.
Jean looked at the map. "If the Cult is awakening ancient dragon sigils, they're doing it to weaken the seal. Antares is healing. Faster than expected."
Whitney growled low. "And there are other emissaries who've gone silent. The balance is shifting."
Charles nodded. "Then it's settled. Jean—your second trial begins now. You'll infiltrate the border under diplomatic guise and meet with our contact in Pyraxis. Discover the Cult's objective. If it's true they're breaking dragon wards… you stop them."
Jean bowed. "I'll leave within the hour."
As she turned, Darien met her eyes from across the room. No malice. Just warning.
"You're walking into the Empress's lands," he said quietly. "And she hates emissaries."
Jean didn't stop walking. "Then I'll shine brighter than her crown."
Whitney chuckled beside her.
"You do have a flair for diplomacy."
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