It was late at night.
From a distance, Silvermoon City still seemed as beautiful and magnificent as ever in the depths of night. But everyone knew that was not the case. From the tightly sealed High Palace to the streets under curfew, everyone knew this was no ordinary night.
"Thranduil survived."
In her room, Alustriel sat in a soft, comfortable chair, gazing out at the night with a slight frown.
"He's always had complaints about the way I do things, but I never imagined he would actually dare to act."
Alustriel spoke softly and sighed. She knew the old mage was dissatisfied with her policies. As an elf supremacist, he wanted Silvermoon City to be a city of elves rather than take in so many outsiders. Many elves held such conservative views, but Thranduil was clearly more conservative than most.
Alustriel could guess why he had done it without even asking: provoke a conflict, force Silvermoon City into war with Luskan, then expel those mortals as wartime spies, thereby achieving his goal of "purifying" Silvermoon City.
But that was only hindsight. A day earlier, Alustriel still would not have believed Thranduil dared to do such a thing.
Yet he had done exactly that.
"He secretly contacted Luskan's Arcane Mages' Council, kidnapped Aria, mobilized the Silver-armored Knights without authorization, and even attacked someone inside the High Palace." Beside Alustriel, a woman with thick brown hair slammed the table in anger.
"This is unforgivable! I told you long ago that you should find a way to drive him out of Silvermoon City, Sister. Now look what's happened! Rumors are flying through every street and alley. What are we supposed to do?"
Alustriel said nothing. She had rushed back the moment she sensed the attack on the High Palace, but she actually felt