St. Celeste's courtyard felt smaller than Raziel remembered.
The silver-armored guards formed a perfect half-circle around him, and each one had their hand on the hilt of their sword.
Exarch Caelum was smiling.
Raziel hated that smile.
"Novice Raziel." Caelum walked toward him. "What a... pleasant surprise to see you come back voluntarily."
Raziel held up Aerion's medallion. "I have royal protection."
"Ah, yes." Caelum glanced at the medallion. "Prince Aerion was always a dramatic one."
He paused.
"But tell me, novice, what exactly does that medallion protect you from? From Zhalyr's justice? Or from the truth?"
Raziel gritted his teeth. "I came to clear my name."
"Of course you did." Caelum nodded. "And you will have your chance."
He turned to the guards.
"Take Novice Lucian Valerius Nyxian and Paladin Grand to the waiting room. Novice Raziel will come with me."
Odessa took a step forward. "Exarch, with all due respect, Novice Raziel is under my temporary custody."
