The Beggar

'Drivel,' as Brinn called it, was exactly what awaited the pair when they reached the throne room. On each side of the throne, a set of chairs had been placed for Xander, Baak, Cafer, Ravenna, Mairwen and, most surprisingly, Ezer.

Brinn wondered if Cafer was trying to exert his power over the Councilman or if Ezer had been brought in simply to keep him away from the rest of the Council. Either way, the message that Ezer was at the mercy of the new leadership was clear.

Brinn took her spot closest to Alaron on his left. She directed Renat to stand along a wall so that she could make eye contact with him without drawing attention. The spymaster was relieved that Ravenna was the one sitting on her other side. Apart from Ezer, Ravenna was the least objectionable option. Other than her ruthlessness, Brinn could almost sympathize with her.

The crowd of people who came to pay their respects was quite thin. The nobles who were captured inside the palace were paraded forward. They, like the se