The meeting room smelled faintly of chalk and old vellum.
Marron noticed it immediately, because she always did now—sensory details anchoring her before the rest of her mind could spiral outward. The room was circular, deliberately neutral. No windows. No banners. Just stone walls etched with sigils meant to prevent escalation, emotional or magical.
Edmund sat to her left, posture rigid. Aldric stood near the far wall, tablet in hand, already annotating.
Across from them, three Council members waited.
Callista was one of them. She met Marron's gaze briefly, expression careful, then looked away.
"This is not a disciplinary session," said Councillor Helen, voice even. "We want that clearly stated."
Marron nodded once. "I believe you."
"That doesn't mean this isn't serious," Hestrel continued.
"I believe that too."
