Two hours later, we were back at the guild.
Tessa had wanted to come with me to the council meeting, but I'd convinced her to wait in the common room.
The third floor was quieter than the chaos below, carpeted hallways, proper doors instead of open archways, the atmosphere of actual administration rather than adventurer chaos.
A guard directed me to the council chamber at the end of the hall.
I knocked.
"Come in." A muffled voice came from inside.
And I pushed open the heavy wooden door.
The council chamber was a large room, with a long table, five people seated on the far side looking at me with varying degrees of interest and calculation.
Three men, two women. All middle-aged or older.
The woman in the center with grey hair pulled back, sharp eyes, the bearing of someone used to being in charge, gestured to the chair on my side of the table.
"Jin Raith. Please, sit."
I sat, keeping my posture relaxed but attentive.
