Morgana sat at the head of the table covered in reports. The gilded decor of the room, with its towering windows and golden-lined walls, did little to soften the heavy mood.
Darius, her half-brother, leaned back in his chair, flipping through yet another stack of reports. His face was lined with concern.
"I can't believe all of this happened when I left the academy," Darius began, his voice low but firm. "It's more than the damage to Crecork's reputation. Do you have any idea how many noble sons and daughters died there? Families are losing their minds over this."
Morgana didn't even look up from her own set of papers. "And? It's not our responsibility to keep their heirs alive. If they'd been a little more talented, maybe they would have survived. I did my best to save everyone but in the end, it's their talent that keeps them alive."
