Reception

Brinn was heavily guarded by the two short gnomes during the reception. It was frustrating because she could not escape to conduct her search for Alvar, but at least none of the nobility were engaging her either. She knew most of their names, but she had no idea how close Mairwen was to any of them. It could be a problem that would only add to the suspicions Xander was having about her identity.

The throne room was packed with people. Brinn watched from beside a pillar as people bowed before an expressionless Alaron. Whatever Cafer had done had been enough to take all the personality from the boy.

Cafer was doing his part to distract from the muted monarch. Like a magician, he would pull the attention of whoever approached the throne to himself. The advisor would then direct a pleasant question toward the boy and encourage him to nod or respond in some simple way.

For the most part, people seemed unbothered by the quiet ruler. If they were honest, it was a nice change from the impulsi