Loreen's POV
Lord Teren leaned forward. "If the charge was wrong, then the people who carried it out on that basis…"
"Will be addressed in time," the king said. "Today we deal with the declaration."
Lord Halvek looked at the king. "With respect, your majesty, this opens a significant number of questions about how that investigation was conducted and by whom. The council will need answers."
"The council will receive them," the king said. "But not all today."
There was movement around the table. Not loud, but present. People shifting in their seats, exchanging brief looks, the particular restlessness of a room full of powerful people absorbing news they had not prepared for.
Loreen looked at Huron.
The man was sitting quietly. Too quietly. He had not said anything since the king began speaking about the Locke family. He was looking at the table in front of him with an expression of careful attention, the expression of a man who was listening but did not want to be seen reacting.
