The council didn’t take long to decide.
Not because the situation was simple, but because waiting would only make it worse. The longer they allowed the northern side to control the timing, the harder it would be to push back without appearing reactive.
By the time Lyra and Kael stepped out of the chamber, the direction was clear.
They were going to act first.
“You got what you wanted,” Lyra said as they walked down the corridor.
Kael glanced at her. “This wasn’t about what I wanted.”
“It was about control,” she corrected.
“And timing,” he added.
Lyra nodded slightly. That part she agreed with. If the northern side was already preparing to introduce those hidden terms, then forcing the discussion early was the only way to prevent being cornered.
“What’s the plan?” she asked.
Kael
