Faye's POV
Parker approached with another sealed letter, his expression tense. "This makes the second messenger from the council today, my lady. They're becoming more insistent about meeting with the Lord directly."
I tore open the wax seal, though I already knew what awaited me inside. The formal script confirmed my suspicions, another urgent request for an audience with Hardy.
"They need visible proof he's alive and well," I said quietly, setting the parchment aside. The council's concern made perfect sense from their position. Hardy's physical presence served as the backbone of their entire operation. Without him making regular appearances, dangerous rumors would inevitably surface. Whispers about serious injuries or worse could spread like wildfire through the ranks, undermining everything they'd worked to build.
A leader's absence during wartime bred suspicion, and suspicion bred chaos.
