As the last of the crowd dispersed from the street in front of the Justice Hall, Orion cast a glance around before motioning for Alaric and the others to follow him. He led them through a narrow alleyway, its high stone walls muffling the bustle of the city, until they reached a secluded courtyard hidden between shuttered brick buildings. There, with a heavy expression, he handed Alaric a tightly rolled scroll, sealed in crimson wax.
"This contains the names of General Odin's closest subordinates—his deputy and five commanders," Orion said grimly. "They're already imprisoned in the dungeon beneath the palace."
He hesitated, lips pursed, as though weighing the cost of what he would say next.
"Their wives and children have been placed under house arrest. They'll be exiled with them to Fengsel Island." His voice was low, almost bitter. "Some of their kin attempted to smuggle them out of Savadra, but the court intervened."
