[The Next Day — House Karzath — Before Dawn]
Before dawn, House Karzath stood in silence.
The great manor slept beneath a sky still caught between night and morning. Outside, the first cold wind of dawn moved through the balconies, but inside the house, all was still.
The front doors opened with a low groan, and High Ensi Rakhane stepped inside.
His robes were dusted with travel sand, the hem darkened from the road, one eye hidden beneath the familiar black patch. His expression was calm...too calm. Azhrakaal, wearing Rakhane's face like stolen skin, had barely taken three steps into the entrance hall when a cold voice drifted down from above.
"Have you heard that the imperial carriage was attacked after the temple visit?"
He stopped.
Slowly, he lifted his head.
