The Nor'vack council hall stood deep inside the forest—an old, stone structure carved into the roots of an enormous tree. Lanterns burned low around its base, giving the walls a soft amber glow.
Inside, five elders sat around a long table made of darkwood. Their faces were tense, older eyes sharp with worry. They had already heard rumors of what happened at the feast, but none had spoken yet—they were waiting.
The air shifted as footsteps approached.
Aetheus entered the hall.
Every elder straightened.
He bowed his head slightly. "I've returned."
Elder Marvath, the oldest and most stern of them, leaned forward. "We heard about Kael'var's… incident."
Aetheus did not deny it. "It's true."
Another elder clicked his tongue. "The boy humiliated himself. And our clan."
"He nearly attacked a weakened patriarch in public," Elder Nyra said coldly. "We cannot afford to look like savages."
Marvath fixed his gaze on Aetheus. "Tell us what you saw."
