Sunlight streamed through the high windows onto the conference hall's deep crimson carpet, while the faint scent of parchment lingered in the air.
The door creaked open.
A small elderly woman entered, silver hair falling to her shoulders and a purple cloak trimmed in gold draped around her.
She looked like someone's kindly grandmother, the sort who might pull sweets from her pocket for her grandchildren at any moment.
But when she raised her head, her eyes were as still as ice and snow, as though she could see straight into the depths of a person's heart.
She was Flora Holden, one of Magewood's foremost Archmages, and today she had come to negotiate with Louis on its behalf.
Seated at the head of the table, Louis straightened slightly.
He deliberately maintained the air of a calm, composed young lord, his gaze steady, displaying just the right degree of distance for someone in power.
Flora smiled and nodded, opening with courtesy before getting down to business. "Lord Calvin, thank you for saving Leichir of Magewood. We will not forget this kindness."
As soon as she finished speaking, she waved lightly, and the young attendant behind her hurried to set his box on the long table.
It was an old, imposing ebony box, its surface inlaid with intricate silver designs. One glance made it clear this was nothing one could casually buy on the market.
Flora stepped forward herself and deftly released the clasp with a turn of her fingers.
With a soft click, the lid slowly opened.
Inside lay a suit of silver-blue armor, its plates arranged like dragon scales, a faint radiance flowing along their edges.
Under the light, it looked as though fragments of stars from the Milky Way had been forged into the metal.
"This is a modest