Patriarch Luke Kletis stared at the document in his hand for several long seconds without saying a word.
Cain Dawncrest was dead.
Even after reading those words several times, they still didn't quite feel real.
Across from him sat Marquis Aldric Vael, the kingdom's Minister of Internal Affairs, a position that placed him in charge of overseeing noble territories, internal investigations, and much of the kingdom's domestic intelligence network.
He was also one of the few people Kletis trusted enough to speak openly around; the two could be considered to be close friends after all.
Aldric leaned forward in his chair.
"So?"
Kletis slowly lowered the document, still looking visibly shaken.
"So what?"
"Don't play with me, Luke." Aldric tapped one finger against the armrest. "Who do you think did it?"
Kletis remained quiet. That was the question everyone would be asking before the day was over.
Aldric leaned back.
"The boy."
Kletis raised his eyes.
"Elion Nova?"
"Who else?"
