Inside the castle, the counsel chamber was astir with tension. Four esteemed elders sat, their eyes fixed on King Leocade, whose grim expression betrayed his distress. Having reclaimed the throne, he now wrestled with the decision of whether to relinquish power to one of his sons or cling to it until his final breath.
But Leocade knew his sons' ambition wouldn't wait. Their eyes burned with an insatiable hunger for power, a fire that threatened to consume him. He always saw the calculation in their eyes, the unspoken warning that they wouldn't hesitate to overthrow him if he didn't relinquish the throne.
"Erebus' union with Princess Eleanor Dankworth has stirred unease," Elder Yarran Dahmer said, his wrinkled face creased in concern. "Two weeks ago, in the outskirts, a phoenix was spotted. Many believe it's her, my king."
Leocade nodded, his expression grave. "I'm aware. Proceed."
