Elias stopped beneath the treasury passage as Atheron came down from the dais, dismissing the nearest attendant with one flick. The four escort guards drifted toward the stairs, and Hajin kept his companions close beside the mantle hiding his splint.
The host feed stayed closed while Atheron nodded toward the arch behind the gallery's lowered curtain.
"Walk with me," he said, holding the opening while Elias slipped past its edge toward the waiting sentries.
"The hall can argue about what I gave you without asking us to stand beside the argument."
Hajin rested his working hand under the mantle fastening, where the treasury key sat snug against its granted patent.
"Please tell me the vault comes with a chair, my legs are filing complaints about the speeches."
Atheron turned toward the stair entrance, and the corner of his mouth lifted above his cloak collar.
"It comes with fewer people who mistake standing near a throne for having something to say."
