The council chamber was already full when Aya entered.
Killan stood at the head of the table, one hand resting on the carved edge as if grounding himself. Asta leaned against the far wall, arms crossed, jaw tight. Elex stood beside the map table, thinking deeply.
Aya did not wait to be prompted.
"They were not normal raiders," she said as she walked forward. "They were indeed deployed soldiers from the West."
Shin and Masa placed themselves closer to the door while Seth followed Aya closely.
She moved to the map, fingers brushing over the northern border. "The survivors from each settlement said the same thing, described their attackers, and gave us an idea of what they took from each place. It was methodical, their attack."
"You've already spoken with the survivors?" A lord near the table frowned. "That could still be—"
"Yes," Aya said, sharply enough to cut him off. Then, more evenly, "As it is needed to confirm my suspicions."
She lifted her hand from the map.
