The Emperor's final words, "sentence to death," echoed in the vast council room, hanging heavy in the air. King Noor IV stood frozen on the accused's platform.
He simply couldn't believe what he had just heard. The Emperor, Sir David, was a ruler King Noor had always respected, even admired, for his strength and, usually, his fair judgment.
To hear such a harsh, such an absolute verdict coming from him, especially for Eric, his son, who he knew was not a bad person at heart, was a shock that went deep into his bones.
He felt as if the ground beneath his feet had suddenly given way. All his plans, all his hopes of explaining things, of finding some understanding, had turned to dust.
