While the stillness still blanketed the elders' chamber, filled with the lingering scent of recently unleashed magic, a chilling calm reigned in another location far away.
Lord Varlen sat at a massive desk made of dark oak. He was not one to appear at a Council meeting when "commoners" displayed such repugnant power. He chose to receive his report via a small magical mirror, which had just broadcast the image of Elizabeth's defiant declaration.
When the image faded, silence returned. A faint smile played at the corner of Varlen's mouth. It was a smile filled more with contempt than amusement.
"Brave indeed..." he murmured, his voice unnervingly even. "What a pity that bravery is far too naive."
Sir Leo, his younger-looking assistant, stood nearby, his head bowed deferentially.
"My Lord, she has just shaken the Council. This act might cause others to side with her..." Sir Leo attempted to caution.
Varlen raised a hand, a signal for silence. His eyes sparkled like honed steel. "You are mistaken, Leo. She did not shake the people; she terrified them. And fear does not lead to loyalty; it leads to the need for a true protector."
He rose slowly, his tall, imposing figure in dark silks walking to the window, forcing his gaze through the city's thick mist.
"Elizabeth believes she is fighting old men and traditions, but in reality, she just gave me legitimate grounds to move openly," Varlen paused, then turned back with a serious expression. "What she displayed today was savage, uncontrolled, and a clear breach of the ancient Covenant."
"What do you plan to do?" Sir Leo asked eagerly.
Varlen offered a disdainful smile. "We will not act ourselves. We will use what she calls 'the terrified elders' to our advantage. Prepare a formal statement to the entire Council. Emphasize the 'instability' and the 'danger posed to all' by the reckless use of power. And of course... send an invitation to the Ryan family. They would be most pleased to join this committee of inquiry."
Varlen concluded by picking up an old gold coin from the desk, calmly flipping it in his hand:
"It's time they learned what it means to meddle with true authority."