Solus Vernal flicked his fingers, and a black token wrapped in cold light drew a perfect arc through the air, landing steadily in the hands of the third elder, Seth Vernal.
"This token," Solus Vernal said, his voice carrying the pressure of a ruler who had once commanded nations, "can mobilize any one of the four guardians in our clan. Use it wisely."
Seth Vernal bowed deeply. "Yes, Clan leader."
He said nothing more. Turning around with crisp decisiveness, he strode out of the hall without even a backward glance.
His steps were steady, but the excitement burning within him was impossible to hide.
Solus Vernal didn't watch him leave. Instead, he walked toward the great doors of the clan hall. With his hands clasped behind his back, he stood before the towering entrance and looked out at the deep night sky.
Moonlight stretched across the courtyard like a cold blade.
His fingers curled slowly into a fist.
