The old Mallister knight's mutilated body hit the floor with a sound that was not particularly loud, yet it seemed to crash into everyone's ears like a heavy weight. His head rolled to Patrick Mallister's feet, eyes wide with shock, as if still demanding an explanation for the absurdity that had just unfolded.
Warm blood gushed from the severed neck and quickly spread between the cracks in the stone floor, filling the Council Chamber with the heavy stench of blood. Silence fell.
The sharp ring of swords being drawn pierced the frozen air. The Mallister knights behind Patrick Mallister were the first to unsheathe their swords, followed by the warriors of House Blackwood. Their blades pointed straight at Suleiman.
The chain reaction erupted in an instant.
"Shing!" "Shing!" "Clang!"
Inside the Council Chamber, the sound of swords being drawn became a chorus.
The Mallister knights and Blackwood warriors gripped their drawn swords, eyes bloodshot and bodies trembling. Bryn and Rosso stood on either side of Suleiman, shielding him, their swords held across their chests.
Ser Lopin and the Deddings knights behind him did not hesitate. Their blades pointed straight at the Blackwood and Mallister forces. The Lychester knights froze for a moment, then fervently drew their weapons and joined Suleiman's side. Even the three Vance knights drew their weapons.
In the blink of an eye, the small Council Chamber was divided into two clear sides. The air was taut as a string about to snap, and killing intent silently clashed between the blades.
The only one who did not move was Raymun Darry. He sat rigidly in his chair, his face as pale as paper, both hands clutching the armrests so tightly that his knuckles had turned white. His gaze darted between the opposing sides, and he had no idea