The Council

Back at the palace, the Council waited to meet with the future Emperor. While everyone else had been forced to swear their allegiance or be transferred to the dungeon that morning, the Council had been kept unnervingly comfortable. The room where they were held contained lovely couches and a balcony view of the city.

"A cage is still a cage, no matter how gilded," Nanny reminded them.

"I would rather have the gilding than being left in squalor like the rest," argued Councilman Meder.

"Our freedom is still gone. Either Cafer means to soften us up with good treatment or he plans to lull us into a false sense of security before killing us off," Ezer countered. He looked at the lush tray of leftover food on the table in the room. After much debate, they had decided to eat it, hoping that it was not poisoned.

"I wonder how long he will keep us here," Meder mused.

"However long it takes," Nanny answered with a yawn. She was used to the gnome's underhanded tricks. He would not get inside her