The grand council chamber was usually a battlefield of clashing egos, but today, there was silence
Maps of the northern expanse lay unrolled before the seated lords. Their borders were freshly redrawn not by ink, parchment and political foresight.
At the head of the table, Diego sat. He was silent, letting the weight of his presence anchor the room while I took the floor.
"For thirty years, the valley has bled over seasonal grazing rights and river tolls." I stepped toward the center map with a slender pointer in hand. "Silver Crest kept you divided by stoking old rivalries, ensuring no single pack could grow strong enough to challenge their hold. But that era ended at the pine gorge."
Lord Vincent leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. "We don't doubt your strength, Luna
