Day two began with a complication.
Damien woke to find Margaret standing at the bedroom door with an expression that promised trouble.
"Young master. Saintess. There's a situation."
Elara stirred beside him, pulling the sheets closer. "What kind of situation?"
"High Priest Aldous has called an emergency Holy Council meeting. This afternoon. He's claiming urgent spiritual crisis requiring immediate resolution." Margaret's voice was dry. "Three guesses what the 'crisis' is."
Damien was already moving, the strategic part of his mind snapping into focus. "He's moving faster than we anticipated. Father predicted tomorrow at earliest."
"The Duke is already awake and receiving intelligence reports. Apparently Aldous worked through the night contacting Council members." Margaret set down a breakfast tray. "The formal charges are being prepared now. Heresy, corruption, undermining Church authority. He's going for total excommunication."
[CRISIS ALERT: Aldous Accelerating Timeline]
