Cora helped Lady Ayara to her feet. The older woman rose slowly, still trembling.
Still crying. Her composure had completely shattered in the face of this revelation.
Cora's own emotions were barely contained now. Arthur could see it in the way her jaw tightened. In the slight tremor in her hands. In the way her eyes glistened just a bit too brightly.
"Tell me what happened to my sister's sect," Cora said quietly. "Tell me everything."
Lady Ayara nodded. She took a shaky breath and tried to compose herself. It took her several moments before she could speak again.
"There is more to the story than what I told Prince Arthur earlier," she began. Her voice was steadier now but still heavy with emotion.
"Information that was kept secret even from most sect members. Only the elders knew the full truth."
Cora waited silently. Listening intently.
