「The next morning.」
Before the morning bell of the council hall had even rung, Aidele was already standing outside Elder Darcy's door.
Her deep purple long robe hung down to her feet, its hem perfectly still.
She raised her hand, her fingertips tapping lightly on the heavy oak door three times.
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK. The sound of knocking echoed in the empty corridor.
"Come in." Darcy's voice called from within the room.
Aidele pushed the door open and entered. The room was dimly lit, with only a Crystal Stone Lamp on the corner of the desk emitting a faint, yellow glow.
Elder Darcy sat behind a large ebony desk, holding an ancient tome in his hands.
Its pages were yellowed and frayed at the edges, as if it had been read countless times.
He looked up at Aidele. "What is it?"
Aidele's expression was grave as she walked to the desk and stopped before it.
"Elder Darcy, I have an urgent matter to report."
"For you to be this serious, it must be important. Speak."
